DISPARITIES IN COPING AMONG PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Abstract

Significance: Caring for a child with special health care needs requires increased emotional and physical resources from parents. Many parents do not have access to vital resources essential to caring for these children without facing difficulties. To maintain wellness of both the parent and the child, parents of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) must find positive ways to cope with the challenges presented to them. Research Question: How do parents of CSHCN of Black and Other races differ from their White counterparts on measures of family centered care, care coordination, and financial strain? Methodology: A secondary analysis of the data from the 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) was conducted. Chi-square tests, crosstabulations, and logistic regression analysis were performed. Variables included family centered care, financial strain, and care coordination. Results: Black families and families of other races reported achieving the aspects of family centered care and care coordination at lower rates than their White counterparts, but White families reported experiencing more financial strain. However, the statistical analysis showed that a factor other than race is responsible for the differences in responses. Implications: By identifying and analyzing different coping mechanisms among racial groups, the nurse can be more culturally aware in the way he/she educates, assists, and enhances coping among parents with CSHCN.