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Perceived family impact and coping mechanisms of caregivers of children with nephrotic syndrome

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Abstract

Background

Pediatric chronic disease impacts the affected child and their family structure. There is limited literature investigating the psychosocial impact of nephrotic syndrome on families.

Methods

Caregivers of children with nephrotic syndrome completed two validated surveys: (1) Impact on Family (IOF) that evaluates the family impact (degree to which family is affected by a pediatric chronic illness) and (2) Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) that examines the coping patterns used by caregivers. Linear regression models were utilized to determine predictors of perceived family impact and coping patterns.

Results

Seventy-five caregivers of a child with nephrotic syndrome completed the surveys. On a scale from low impact to significant impact to very serious impact, results indicated that nephrotic syndrome had a significant impact on families (mean revised IOF total score 33.04 ± 9.38). Families in the steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) group reported a higher financial impact compared to the steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) group (p = 0.03). Families in the frequently relapsing group (FRNS) reported a higher impact on the caregiver’s ability to cope with the child’s condition compared to the SRNS group (p = 0.02). Tacrolimus use was associated with increasing the perceived family impact (β = 4.76, p = 0.046). CHIP scores indicated that caregivers did not cope well with family integration (component I) but coped well with social support (component II) and communication (component III).

Conclusions

Childhood nephrotic syndrome has a significant overall perceived impact on the family, and caregivers did not cope well regarding strengthening their family life. These findings can be used as outcome measures for future intervention studies to find solutions that would decrease the perceived family burden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Nephrology, Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, 269-01 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY, USA

    Jenelle Cocorpus, Julie Jun, Abby Basalely, Laura Castellanos, Pamela Singer, Rachel Frank, Olivia Bullaro, Shari Gurusinghe & Christine B. Sethna

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  1. Jenelle Cocorpus
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  2. Julie Jun
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  3. Abby Basalely
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  4. Laura Castellanos
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Contributions

JC, JJ, and CS participated in research design, writing of the manuscript, and data analysis. AB, LC, PS, RF, OB, and SG contributed to the research design and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Christine B. Sethna.

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Cocorpus, J., Jun, J., Basalely, A. et al. Perceived family impact and coping mechanisms of caregivers of children with nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 38, 1177–1185 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-022-05619-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-022-05619-w

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