Poverty and the wellbeing of children with sickle cell disease: The mediating role of parenting stress

Abstract

BackgroundLiving in poverty in the midst of caring for a child with sickle cell disease (SCD) presents with challenges that may be overwhelming for caregivers. Prior research has shown a relationship between poverty and poor outcomes in children; however, no study has investigated the mediating role of parenting stress on health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) for such children.ProcedureA total of 150 patients, ages 8–17 years and their parents, were enrolled and completed measures of parenting stress (caregivers) and HRQOL (patients). Caregivers also completed a demographic information questionnaire, which was used to determine poverty status. The Sobel test was used to analyze the association between poverty and HRQOL by way of parenting stress.ResultsThe series of linear regression results show poverty was a significant predictor for decreased HRQOL (B = −7.01, p = .05) among pediatric patients with SCD. Moreover, the regression coefficient measuring the indirect effect of the model measuring the mediating role of parenting stress was statistically significant (B = −1.05, p = .05).ConclusionThe current study found an association between poverty status and HRQOL scores by way of parenting stress. Findings highlight the need for appropriate resource allocation to caregivers in addition to pediatric patients living with SCD.