Relationship between Families Perception of Health and Support in the Care of Vulnerable Children

Chen JY, Chen HS, Liu MC an

Abstract

Introduction: The role of family support in the care of vulnerable children is rarely discussed, yet has a major impact on family health. How family members’ perceptions of their own health affect their vulnerable children has not been previously explored. Purpose: The objectives of the study were to assess and compare the health status of perception using the Duke Health Profile (DUKE) and perceptions family support using the family APGAR (FAPGAR) across groups-families of children with muscular dystrophy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), and chromosomal abnormality (Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome, TS/KS). Methods: The participants of the study were 286 from three cross-sectional studies from a southern medical hospital in Taiwan. Results: This manuscript investigated the relationship between families’ perception of health and support in the care of vulnerable children with DMD/SMA, ADHD, or TS/KS. By using multiple comparison, correlation and regression analysis, the authors reported that Duke Health Profile was significantly correlated with family support. Additionally, social health, age, marital status, and vulnerable status as predictors accounted for 35.3% of the variance in family support. Discussion: Data suggest the efficacy to care for families of children as show in the DMD/SMA group, compared to ADHD and chromosome abnormality groups. The authors indicate that family support is critical in the care of vulnerable children. This study did provide some new information in the related field.