The quality of life of mothers of children with monosymptomatic enuresis nocturna

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) on the quality of life of the mothers.

Methods: Mothers who have a child with MNE (n = 60) and mothers who have a child without any health problems (n = 90) were included in the study. Groups were similar for background variables (child's age, gender, and number of siblings; mother's age and marital status; and economic status of families and presence of health insurance). The key question was to determine whether or not the difference between the two groups in terms of the quality of life. All mothers underwent Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) Questionnaire, Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: All SF-36 subscales except social functioning were significantly lower in mothers of enuretic children. The trait-anxiety score, the subcomponent of the STAI, was higher in mothers who have a child with enuresis nocturna (P < 0.001). The mean BDI score was higher in enuretic group (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between SF-36, STAI, and BDI scores and child's age, gender, number of siblings, and mother's age.

Conclusion: This study shows that the quality of life of the mothers was negatively affected by having a child with MNE.