Parent Stress and Coping: Waiting for a Child to Receive a Kidney Transplant

The current study examined the degree of parent stress and depression among mothers and fathers of children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) listed for a kidney transplant, to determine whether demographic factors, stress, and coping would predict parent depression. Eighty-six mothers and 58 fathers of children with ESRD preparing for a kidney transplant completed standardized measures of parent stress related to the child’s chronic illness (PIP), coping style (Brief Cope), and depression (BDI-II). Information about the disease was obtained from the medical record. Maternal depression was predicted by having a lower family income, higher degree of parent stress associated with the child’s illness, and the use of avoidant coping strategies. Paternal depression was only predicted by higher parent stress. Illness related variables did not contribute significantly to the understanding of parent outcomes. Pre-transplant evaluations should screen for elevated levels of stress and depression, and develop interventions to help parents cope with their child’s renal disease.