The Effect of Nursing Intervention on Stress and Coping Strategies among Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common pediatric neurological disorders which encompasses a negative psychological, emotional, social and physical consequences of providing care. Providing a high level of care for children with cerebral palsy may affect both the physical, social, and psychological health of the mothers who take care for those children. Mothers experience many stressors which affect their daily lives. So, nursing intervention is a key element of managing cerebral palsy children, support their parents and enhance their coping strategies to reduce their tension and stress and adapt to their new situation. Aim: Evaluate the effect of nursing intervention on stress and coping strategies among mothers of their children with cerebral palsy. Method: A quasi-experimental design was used for this study, including 65 mothers caring of children with cerebral palsy. The tools of data collection were as: a structured questionnaire sheet, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Coping Health Inventory for parents and Gross Motor Function Classification System before and after six months of nursing intervention. Results: The study revealed that, the total mean score of mothers’ stress was high before nursing intervention while, this score was low after nursing intervention. Also, the total mean score of mothers’ coping strategies was low before nursing intervention while, this score was high after nursing intervention. In addition to, there was a statistical significance difference between mothers’ level of stress and their coping strategies applied to decrease their stress before and after the nursing intervention. Conclusion: Nursing intervention was effective in reduction of mothers’ stress and raising the coping strategies of mothers of children with cerebral palsy. Recommendations: Various parenting approaches and coping strategies need to be recommended and taught to mothers to decrease their stress. Also, nurses should play a key role in health teaching and counseling the mothers about all aspects of care of their children with Cerebral palsy and ways to overcome the stress associated with this care.