Quality of life of caregivers of children and adolescents with speech and language disorders.

PURPOSE To investigate the quality of life of caregivers of children and adolescents presenting speech and language disorders from their own perspective. METHODS Two groups participated, adding up to 40 subjects. Group 1 was composed by 20 caregivers of 4 to 17 years-old children or adolescents with speech and language disorders, paired by age with the Control Group or 2 that included 20 caregivers of children or adolescents with no speech and language complaints. Data collection was done using: two open questions and the World Health Organization instrument, which was translated and adapted to Portuguese language - the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). The results were submitted to statistical analysis and the open questions were qualitatively analyzed. RESULTS The language disorders distribution showed: stuttering (35%), non-neurological (35%), and neurological oral language disorders (30%). In the analysis of the WHOQOL-BREF scores, there were quality of life differences regarding the physical (1.1%), psychological (0.5%), and social relationships (1.8%) domains. Group 1 presented the most dissatisfying quality of life. Concerning the open questions, it presented good and reasonable characteristics and Group 2, good and very good. The clinical routine and children were mentioned as factors that hamper self-care in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS The lowest score of Group 1 in the WHOQOL-BREF was consistent with the open questions results, showing that aspects such as clinical attendance routine and comprehension difficulties influence caregivers' quality of life. The results corroborate that they should be assisted, since they are a group that deserves healthy actions directed to them.