BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) may cause emotional distress and impairs the quality of life (QoL) in children and their families. OBJECTIVE: We examined family QoL of children with AD and explored associated factors such as disease severity and psychosocial factors among parents of children with AD. METHODS: Study participants were 78 children (1 month to 16 years old) diagnosed with AD and their parents visiting an outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatrics in Inha University Hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and medical record review. Parents completed the Dermatitis Family Impact questionnaire (DFI), the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Korean Parenting Stress Index. For children aged below 6-year-old, parents were asked to complete the Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life. SCOring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD), Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 Generic Core Scale were also completed. RESULTS: The mean age of parents and children were 37.4 ± 5.3 years and 65.1 ± 45.7 months, respectively. Among them, 87.2% of parents were mothers and 60.3% of children were boys. The mean score of DFI was 11.2 ± 6.0. The mean SCORAD score was 28.3 ± 16.1. Family who experienced strong negative emotionality had a 3.8 times higher probability of experiencing a lower QoL than parents who did not (odds ratio [OR], 3.82; p = 0.041). Family of children with higher severity of AD had a 6.6 times (OR, 6.55; p = 0.018) higher probability of experiencing a low family QoL than their less-severe counterparts. Families of girls with AD had a lower QoL (OR, 8.40; p = 0.003) than families of boys. CONCLUSION: Family QoL among parents of children with AD was low and associated with parent’s psychosocial characteristics as well as disease severity of the children. Considering parental involvement in AD management for children, emotional support for parents can be helpful in long journey of disease management.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Appointments and Schedules ; Child ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatology ; Disease Management ; Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mothers ; Parenting ; Parents ; Pediatrics ; Psychology ; Quality of Life ; Stress, Psychological

Objectives: : The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of office workers' stress level and stress vulnerability on heart rate variability (HRV), confirm the significance of objective stress indicators obtained through subjective stress and heart rate variability devices, and examine their effectiveness as an integrated stress measurement tool in community mental health projects. Methods: : From June to July in 2020, 929 workers participated in the stress management and mental health promotion project carried out by K hospital, and their recorded database was used for study analysis with their agreements. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to find out the effects of general stress level, and stress vulnerability on heart rate variability. Results: : All general characteristics were found to have a significant effect on SDNN (ln), RMSSD (ln), LF (ln), and HF (ln), but work experience did not significantly affect RMSSD (ln). Stress level and stress vulnerability did not significantly affect heart rate variability, but stress perception, a sub-factor of stress level, was found to have a significant effect on RMSSD (ln) (β=0.118, p=0.023). Conclusions : In this study, stress perception, a sub-factor of stress level, was found to be a factor affecting RMSSD (ln). This indicates an association with the activity of parasympathetic nerves in stressful situations, and more follow-up studies are needed to use it as a direct indicator of chronic stress and integrated stress in the community mental health field.