Caregivers Burnout in Pediatric Laryngomalacia; The role of clinizcal and psychological factors

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to assess caregiver burnout in relation to children diagnosed with laryngomalacia and identify factors influencing burnout levels. Materials and methods: A cohort of 101 caregivers of children with laryngomalacia was studied. Burnout was assessed using the Zarit burden interview (ZBI), while the Hamilton anxiety and Hamilton depression scales were employed to gauge psychological distress. The relationship between burnout and variables like the severity of laryngomalacia, the presence of comorbidities, the child's age, and caregiver demographics was examined using statistical tools in SPSS Statistics version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Caregiver burnout decreased as the child's age increased. A direct correlation was observed between the severity of laryngomalacia and caregiver burnout. The presence of comorbidities in children increased caregiver burnout. Moreover, caregivers with increased levels of depression and anxiety exhibited higher burnout levels. No significant correlation was found between caregiver burnout and socioeconomic status or educational level. Conclusion: The severity of laryngomalacia, the child's age, the presence of comorbidities, and caregivers' psychological health are significant influencers of caregiver burnout. Healthcare professionals should offer targeted support to caregivers, addressing both their physical and psychological needs.