ABSTRACT
Objective
Spina bifida (SB), a birth defect impacting the central nervous system, may disrupt family functioning, elevate risk for psychosocial concerns in family members, and require extensive medical management. Parental knowledge of their child’s medical condition supports parents in managing youth health needs, advocating for their child and responding to complications. Little is known about parent understanding of youth SB. The purpose of this study is to identify parent perceptions and knowledge of aetiology and problems associated with SB to support opportunities for intervention in families of youth with SB.
Methods
Parents of 140 youth with SB completed open-response questions as part of a modified version of the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire regarding perceptions of (1) problems associated with SB and (2) causes of SB. Researchers evaluated secondary survey-elicited data using a content analysis approach to identify themes.
Results
Parents exhibited varying levels of knowledge of SB aetiology, including knowledge of several salient medical and nonmedical problems associated with their child’s condition. Perceptions of problems included physical (e.g., toileting, and ambulation) and neurocognitive (e.g., executive function) concerns, as well as family and caregiver functioning (e.g., caregiver burden) challenges. This study highlighted some areas of misunderstanding with respect to knowledge of aetiology (e.g., environmental toxins).
Conclusions
Parent perceptions of SB focused on a variety of salient medical and nonmedical problems. In addition, gaps in knowledge of condition aetiology were highlighted. Medical providers and paediatric psychosocial care providers should provide individualized and developmentally appropriate education regarding SB from diagnosis through young adulthood to support family adjustment, caregiver well-being and tailored medical management. Future research should examine predictors of parent knowledge and perceptions.