Evaluation of Coping Mechanism of Mothers of Children With Chronic Diseases During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the problems, perceived stress, and coping with the stress of mothers of children with chronic diseases during the pandemic. METHODS: The study was conducted with cross-sectional design. The data were gathered from the mothers of children with chronic diseases who were followed up at the endocrine outpatient clinic of a hospital in Istanbul between February 1, 2021, and May 31, 2021. The data were collected by conducting face-to-face interviews with mothers of 117 children through information form, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Coping with Stress Scale (CSS). RESULTS: It was determined that 35.9% of the mothers stated that they had problems during the pandemic since their children suffered from chronic diseases. The mean scores of the mothers were 26.88 +/- 6.69 points for the PSS and 87.35 +/- 11.04 points for the CSS and there was a negative and weak correlation between their scale scores (r = -.190; p < .05). CONCLUSION: It was found that families faced many different problems during the pandemic, such as the treatment and control of their children. In case of extraordinary situations such as pandemics, nurses should provide planned guidance and counseling services to children with chronic diseases and their families in order to manage the negative situations they experience.