Modifiable Factors Underlying Caregivers' Psychological Support Needs in Pediatric Disability: Through the Lens of Psycho-Behavioral and Social-Environmental Interactions.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Childhood disability is a major stressor for caregivers. There are many problems and challenges in relation to satisfying the psychological support needs of caregivers. This study aims to explore the modifiable psycho-behavioral and social-environmental factors of psychological support needs and need satisfaction, their interaction effects, and their configuration paths. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of 363 caregivers using instruments such as the psychological support needs subscale of the Care Needs Assessment Tool for Children with Disabilities. Multivariable logistic regression with interaction terms and crisp-set qualitative comparative analysis were performed. Results: The overall rate of psychological support needs was 78.29%, and the overall need satisfaction was 49.94%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the caregiver's need was mainly influenced by anxiety, while need satisfaction was primarily predicted by public policy support and social attitudes. There was an interaction effect between caregiver anxiety and social attitude on need satisfaction. Qualitative comparative analysis indicated that six paths were identified as potentially leading to high levels of psychological support need, while five paths were associated with low levels of need satisfaction. Conclusions: The psychological support need rate among caregivers was high, and the level of need satisfaction was low. There were significant differences in psychological support needs and need satisfaction among different psycho-behavioral and social-environmental characteristics. It is recommended that caregivers with negative emotions be given more attention. The enhancement of social attitudes and the adoption of more supportive policies will contribute to the improvement of need satisfaction.