Predictors of the quality of life in siblings of children with chronic diseases.

Abstract

Purpose: Advances in medical sciences have contributed to the increase in children living with chronic diseases. The diagnosis of a chronic disease in a child can affect the quality of life of all family members, including siblings. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the predictors of quality of life among siblings aged 8 to 12 years who have a brother or sister with chronic diseases.

Methods: In this case-control study conducted in Rasht, 85 siblings of children with chronic diseases as the case group and 172 siblings of healthy children as the control group were recruited using cluster sampling. The two groups were matched for age and gender. Data were collected using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL TM) and a demographic questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression analysis tests via SPSS version 16.

Results: The mean quality of life scores in the case and control groups were 88.86 ± 10.33 and 87.39 ± 10.89, respectively, indicating a desirable level within both groups. No statistically significant difference was found in this regard between the two groups. Based on the logistic regression analysis, three variables of number of family members (P = 0.03), mother's education level (P = 0.025), and family's income level (P = 0.023) were identified as significant predictors of quality of life. In this regard, it was found that the number of family members and the mother's education level were positively related to the quality of life, increasing the mean scores by 2.32 and 1.48, respectively. Conversely, a higher family income level was associated with a decrease in quality of life scores by 0.543.

Conclusions: The study found that the quality of life among siblings of children with chronic diseases is good, comparable to that of their peers. The findings imply that the chronicity of the disease does not significantly impair siblings' adaptation and overall well-being.

Practice implications: The findings of this study can be used in various fields, including healthcare management, nursing clinical services, nursing education, and nursing research.