Are caregivers of children with special care needs more likely to report poorer emotional and physical health compared to caregivers of children without special needs?
Faculty Mentor
Bettye Apenteng
Location
Russell Union Room 2075
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Oral Presentation
College
Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
Department
Health Policy and Management
Abstract
Background
Caregivers of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) experience substantial caregiving demands that may adversely affect their physical and mental health. However, population-based evidence quantifying these associations remains limited.
Methods
We analyzed nationally representative survey data from the 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health (N = 48,792) to examine associations between having a child with special health care needs and primary caregivers’ self-rated physical and mental/emotional health. Survey-weighted binary logistic regression models estimated the odds of poor physical health and poor mental/emotional health among primary caregivers. Models adjusted for caregiver age, sex, education, marital status, employment, household size, insurance coverage, and the child’s age and sex. Interaction models tested effect modification by caregiver sex and child sex.
Results
Primary caregivers of children with special health care needs had significantly higher odds of poor mental/emotional health (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: [1.41-2.56]). The effect of caregiving on mental health was more pronounced among primary caregivers of female children [interaction term OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.02-1.75]. For physical health outcomes, a moderating effect was observed. Caregiving was associated with poorer physical health among female caregivers but not among male caregivers [interaction term OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.06-2.07].
Conclusion
Caring for children with special health care needs is associated with worse self-reported physical and mental health among primary caregivers. Interventions and policies that support family-centered care should include caregiver health screening and coping support.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 2:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Puobebe, Carolyn; Griffin, Jourdyn; Apenteng, Bettye; and Opoku, Samuel, "Are caregivers of children with special care needs more likely to report poorer emotional and physical health compared to caregivers of children without special needs?" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 143.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/143
Are caregivers of children with special care needs more likely to report poorer emotional and physical health compared to caregivers of children without special needs?
Russell Union Room 2075
Background
Caregivers of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) experience substantial caregiving demands that may adversely affect their physical and mental health. However, population-based evidence quantifying these associations remains limited.
Methods
We analyzed nationally representative survey data from the 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health (N = 48,792) to examine associations between having a child with special health care needs and primary caregivers’ self-rated physical and mental/emotional health. Survey-weighted binary logistic regression models estimated the odds of poor physical health and poor mental/emotional health among primary caregivers. Models adjusted for caregiver age, sex, education, marital status, employment, household size, insurance coverage, and the child’s age and sex. Interaction models tested effect modification by caregiver sex and child sex.
Results
Primary caregivers of children with special health care needs had significantly higher odds of poor mental/emotional health (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: [1.41-2.56]). The effect of caregiving on mental health was more pronounced among primary caregivers of female children [interaction term OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.02-1.75]. For physical health outcomes, a moderating effect was observed. Caregiving was associated with poorer physical health among female caregivers but not among male caregivers [interaction term OR = 1.48; 95% CI = 1.06-2.07].
Conclusion
Caring for children with special health care needs is associated with worse self-reported physical and mental health among primary caregivers. Interventions and policies that support family-centered care should include caregiver health screening and coping support.
