Depression and anxiety in mothers of home ventilated children before and during COVID‐19 pandemic

Ergenekon, Almala Pinar; Yilmaz Yegit, Cansu; Cenk, Muruvvet; Bas Ikizoglu, Nilay; Atag, Emine; Gokdemir, Yasemin; Erdem Eralp, Ela; Karadag, Bulent

BACKGROUND: Due to advances in technology, home ventilation in children has increased in recent years. The provision of proper care for a home‐ventilated (HV) child can have a strong impact on the lifestyle of caregivers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the depression and anxiety levels of the mothers of HV children during the current COVID‐19 pandemic and compare them to those of mothers of healthy peers. METHODS: This cross‐sectional study was conducted on HV children (n = 21) and a control group of healthy peers (n = 32) by means of a questionnaire completed by the mothers of the children of both groups. Psychometric scales, such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory‐State (STAI‐S), and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory‐Trait (STAI‐T), were used to assess participants. RESULTS: During the pandemic signs of depression were present in 8 (38.1%) of the case group and 8 (25%) of the healthy control group. Comparison of the BDI scores from before and during the pandemic showed no difference between mothers of the HV children (p = .09). Scores for BDI and STAI‐T were higher in the case group than in the control group, whereas there was no significant difference in STAI‐S scores. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety levels of mothers of HV children were found to be higher during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Economic, medical, and social support resources are needed to reduce levels of depression and anxiety and help mothers of those children dependent on technology.