PERCEIVED SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG PARENTS OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN IN THE COVID-19
Dimitra Mourdoukouta, Maria Polikandrioti, Evangelos Dousis, Eleni Evagelou, Chrisoula Dafogianni, Afroditi Zartaloudi, Ioannis Koutelekos
Friday, October 1, 2021
Publication year:
2021
Authors:
- Mourdoukouta Dimitra, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Polikandrioti Maria, Assistant Professor,Department of Nursing,Technological Educational Institute of Athens
- Dousis Evangelos, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attika
- Evagelou Eleni, Professor of Nursing , TEI of Athens
- Dafogianni Chrisoula, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Zartaloudi Afroditi, Lecturer, Department of Nursing, TEI of Athens
- Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens
Keywords index:
Pages: 295-305
Abstract:
ntroduction: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on all aspects of human life and has created a need for social support. The role of the social support of the parents of public children hospitalized in the Covid-19 period is important. The aim of this study was to explore the demographic factors related to social support of parents of hospitalized children. Material and method: in the present study where enrolled 110 parents of hospitalized children (30 males and 80 females) in paediatrics clinic, during the period Feb-April 2021. Data collection was conducted by interview method using a questionnaire, which included parent’s demographic characteristics, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support questionnaire to assess the social support experienced by parents. Results: Of the 110 participants, 50% of parents score above 22, 22 and 20 (median) on support from significant others, family and friends respectively. In addition 25% of parents had scores above 25,25 and 24 respectively. These values in relation to the possible range of scores (4-28) indicate high levels of social support for parents. Statistically significantly higher support levels of support than significant persons were experienced by parents with higher education (p=0.045), parents who had more than one child in addition to the hospitalized child (p=0.007). Statistically significant higher levels of family support were experienced by parents who had more than one child in addition to the hospitalized child (p=0.003). Statistically significant higher levels of support from friends were experienced by parents with Msc-PhD (p=0.045), parents who had more than one child in addition to the hospitalized child (0.028). Conclusion: Social support can mitigate the effects of social isolation and social distance measures, so the implementation of individualized psychoeducation and intervention programs is needed.
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