PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (PSA)

PSA:  FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESSES AND CAREGIVERS OF DISABLED CHILDREN

Format:  Radio

Background Noise:  Office sounds—printer, phones ringing, low chatter.

Jo:                    Hey, Annie, the rest of the girls are planning to go out after work on Friday, wanna go?

Annie:             That sounds great, Jo, but I have to work extra Friday night.  I have to take Nathan to the doctor next week so I’ll miss some work, and I need to make it up.

Jo:                    Aww, can’t you just take some vacation time?

Annie:             That would be nice!  But I’ve already used up what I had.  Remember when Nathan had some problems at school last month?

Jo:                    Can’t you come?  You look like you could use a couple of drinks.  C’mon, maybe you could just cut a couple of hours pay this week.

Annie:             No way!  I haven’t gotten a child support check in two months.  Nathan’s afterschool sitter is so expensive, and I’m afraid to get behind on the rent. 

Jo:                    Wow, Annie, I’m sorry.  We’ll miss you.

Annie:             I’ll miss going.  I sure could use a break!!     

Announcer:     Recent research confirms that the stresses associated with caring for children with a disability affect caregivers’ ability to provide quality care for their children.  The study, conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University, and the University of Arkansas, used data from the 2010 Ohio Family Health Survey to examine factors such as health care coverage, access to care, utilization of healthcare, and unmet needs. 

                        The study found that 12.3% of all children had a disability, and their caregivers tended disproportionately to be single mothers, with lower education and incomes. 

More than twice as many caregivers of disabled children suffered from serious psychological distress as caregivers of nondisabled children.    Additionally, caregivers of children with a disability were twice as likely to have high levels of financial stress, and almost three and a half times as likely to have both high levels of financial stress and very high levels of psychological stress.

Goudie, A., Narcisse, M-R., Hall, D.E., and Kuo, D.Z. (2014).  Financial and psychological stressors associated with caring for children with a disability.  Families, Systems & Health, 32, 3, 280-290.