Article type
Abstract
Background: Tourette syndrome and comorbidities not only affect children's physical and mental health, but also interfere with their daily life and interpersonal interactions. While parents play a key role in assisting their children in symptom management, their experiences of caregiving during parenting are unknown.
Objective: The aim of the systematic review was to describe and synthesize the caregiving experiences of parents of children with Tourette syndrome.
Methods: This study searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Services (inception until September 2023). Inclusion criteria were the qualitative studies describing parents’ caregiving experiences of assisting children with Tourette syndrome in coping and symptom management, as published in English or Chinese. Articles were screened and reviewed, and data were extracted with the Joanna Briggs Institute's Guidelines for Systematic Reviews.
Results: Eight studies with 125 parents were included in this study, and the articles were published between 2009 and 2022. This study identified 5 synthesis findings: (1) the physical and mental health impacts of bizarre disorders on children; (2) the long road to medical treatment; (3) the marginalized plight of non-acceptance; (4) the heavy burden of parenting struggles; and (5) the desire for social support and resource input.
Discussions: The results of this study revealed that parents experienced the ups and downs of tics as disturbances to their children's physical and mental health, as well as the family life. Parents struggled to minimize the impact of tics on their children's interpersonal and academic performance, which consequently affected their children's health and parent-child relationships. It is recommended that health professionals assist the parents of children with Tourette syndrome to develop individualized symptom management strategies and provide guidance that meets the care needs of the child. The review may be subject to publicity bias due to the limitations of language and primary studies.
Objective: The aim of the systematic review was to describe and synthesize the caregiving experiences of parents of children with Tourette syndrome.
Methods: This study searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, and Chinese Electronic Periodical Services (inception until September 2023). Inclusion criteria were the qualitative studies describing parents’ caregiving experiences of assisting children with Tourette syndrome in coping and symptom management, as published in English or Chinese. Articles were screened and reviewed, and data were extracted with the Joanna Briggs Institute's Guidelines for Systematic Reviews.
Results: Eight studies with 125 parents were included in this study, and the articles were published between 2009 and 2022. This study identified 5 synthesis findings: (1) the physical and mental health impacts of bizarre disorders on children; (2) the long road to medical treatment; (3) the marginalized plight of non-acceptance; (4) the heavy burden of parenting struggles; and (5) the desire for social support and resource input.
Discussions: The results of this study revealed that parents experienced the ups and downs of tics as disturbances to their children's physical and mental health, as well as the family life. Parents struggled to minimize the impact of tics on their children's interpersonal and academic performance, which consequently affected their children's health and parent-child relationships. It is recommended that health professionals assist the parents of children with Tourette syndrome to develop individualized symptom management strategies and provide guidance that meets the care needs of the child. The review may be subject to publicity bias due to the limitations of language and primary studies.