The need for psychosocial support in parents with cochlear implanted children

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the need of parents with Coch lear implanted children for psychosocial support, based on psychic symptoms reported by these parents and their motivation to make use of psychosocial interventions. Methods: Fifty seven mothers and 46 fathers of 57 Cochlear implanted children were evaluated separately, employing validated questionn aires (Symptom Checklist-90-R and Questionnaire on Psychosocial Support). R esults: 26% of the mothers and 25% of the fathers showed severe psychic sym ptoms as reflected in the Symptom Checklist-90-R. Fifty nine percent of the mothers and 60% of the fathers were highly motivated to participate in psy chosocial interventions - especially in the form of further information on their children's ailment and in parents' groups. Conclusions: The data pres ented suggest that there is a need for psychosocial support in 18% of the p arents; 8% of the parents show high psychic stress, but low motivation. The rest of the parents are not in need of support; nevertheless, 42% of the p arents are highly motivated in favor of psychosocial interventions. (C) 200 1 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.