Sick Kids = Sick Moms?

by Myra Turner | More from this Blogger

If you are the mother of a child with a disability or a chronic illness, are you more likely to suffer poor health? The answer is yes, according to a report by Canadian broadcaster CTV.

A Statistics Canada study found that about 11% of mothers who had kids with disabilities or who suffered from a chronic illness said they were in either "poor" or "fair" health. In comparison, about 5% of mothers who had healthy or non-disabled kids reported the same health status. For fathers, there were no observed differences.

The study tracked children (both healthy and ill or disabled kids) who were between the ages of 6 and 15. The study tracked the kids between 1994 and 2000. For the study, the data was analyzed only from kids who had lived with the same married couple during this six year time frame.

The study also found that mothers with chronically ill kids or those with a disability were 1.5 times more likely to report being in "poor" or "fair" health than those who were daily smokers. Finally, the study also found that the health of the mothers declined (35%) more rapidly than did the health of the fathers in the study.

All the mothers in the study came from different backgrounds. They were from different age groups, had different levels of education, different income, and a differing number of other kids in the home.

I can see why the mothers in the study reported feelings of ill health. Mother's typically neglect their own health as they tend to the needs of their family. I can only imagine how taxing having a child with a disability or a chronic illness would be. I know how exhausted I am sometimes and I have a healthy child. I recall the frequent trips to the doctor for well-baby visits and shots and so forth. These mothers probably spend more than the average amount of time taking their kids to the doctor or at hospitals. But we have to take care of ourselves first because if we are not in the best of health we will not be of any use to anyone, especially our kids.

See also:

Good Health Doesn't Have To be Expensive

Learn more about Myra Turner

I'm a proud mid-life single mom with an active seven-year-old son, Tyler.

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