Work

Impacts of raising a child with a feeding difficulty in Aotearoa New Zealand

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Economic barriers to accessing support for children with paediatric feeding difficulties can have serious repercussions, including parental stress and emotional fatigue, the child developing a negative relationship with food and health risks such as undernourishment, aspiration pneumonia or choking. We explored the financial and psychological impact experienced by parents and caregivers raising a child with a feeding difficulty in Aotearoa. Respondents were 88 parents or caregivers of a child with a feeding difficulty, living in Aotearoa. Respondents completed an online survey with 34 questions, the majority of which were multi-choice. Open-ended responses provided exemplars and detail. The results indicate that many families (64.3%) experience a significant but small impact associated with raising a child with feeding difficulties in Aotearoa. However, 36.4% of respondents reported a moderate to significant financial impact. Barriers to working caused by feeding challenges and childcare, as well as non-medical expenses, contributed to financial strain and psychological impacts experienced by respondents. Parents struggled to find support for their own wellbeing.

Source: New Zealand Medical Journal

DOI: 10.26635/6965.6259

Authors: Stacey-Louise Corney, Givona Rush, Sarah Taylor, Bianca Jackson

Institution: University of Auckland

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: University of Auckland