J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2010 Jun;21(2):103-109.

Depressive Symptoms and Subjective Quality of Life in Parents of Boys with Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy

• Hwang JW
• Koo YJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the current study was to evaluate subject quality of life in depressed parents of boys with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (DMB/BMD). In addition, a specific relationship between subject quality of life and the severity of depressive symptom was explored.
METHODS
The participants were 15 depressed parents who had moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 35 non-depressed parents of boys with DMD/BMD. All participants completed the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version and the Beck Depression Inventory. Other instruments included the Family Relationship Scale and the Child Behavior Checklist.
RESULTS
Among various model predictors, only higher score on the Beck Depression Inventory predicted lower scores on all domains of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version. In addition, depressed parents had significantly lower scores on all domains of the World Health Organization Quality Of Life Scale, Brief Version including physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment, relative to non-depressed parents.
CONCLUSION
Findings of the current study suggest that all domains of subjective quality of life may be influenced by depressive symptoms in parents of boys with DMD/BMD.

Keyword

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; Becker Muscular Dystrophy; Parental Depression; Parental Quality of Life

MeSH Terms

Checklist
Child
Child Behavior
Depression
Family Relations
Humans
Muscular Dystrophies
Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne
Parents
Quality of Life
World Health Organization