QoL and Stress in Parents of Children With Developmental Disabilities and Chronic Disease

Summary

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the level of stress and quality of life in parents of children with developmental disabilities (Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, cerebral palsy) and parents of children chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus type 1, epilepsy, asthma) compared to parents of healthy children.

The investigators will analyze the level of stress, quality of life, self-esteem, optimism, resilience, happiness, stigmatization, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, parenting challenges and some physiological indicators of the stress such as level of cortisol and heart rate variability. Also, the investigators will measure Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) in the skin.

The investigators assume that parents of children with developmental disabilities and chronic diseases have higher level of stress and lower quality of life compared to the parents of healthy children.

Conditions

• Developmental Disability
• Chronic Disease
• Down Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1
• Epilepsy
• Asthma
• Stress

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

salivary cortisol

5 samples of saliva (first sample before around 22:00 and other samples the next morning, after awakening (00, 15, 30 and 60 minutes).

DEVICE

Holter Medilog AR12 Plus

Holter Medilog AR12 Plus - electrocardiogram during 5 minutes for measuring HRV

DEVICE

Polar V800

Polar V800 with sensor - during 5 minutes for measuring HRV

DEVICE

AGE reader

for measuring Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• General Hospital Zadar

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Split, School of Medicine

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• MARIJA LJUBICIC, RN, MSN · General hospital Zadar, Department of Pediatrics

• IVANA KOLCIC, MD, PhD · University of Split, School of Medicine

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-04-02

Primary Completion

2021-04-02

Completion

2021-05-02

Countries

• Croatia

Study Locations