Interactions among parental burnout, care needs, and social support in childhood brain tumor care: A network analysis.

Authors

Qianqian Yang, Dandan Tang, Yuliang Xiang, Binu Koirala, Rebecca Wright, Qi Zhang

Published in

Journal of psychosomatic research. Volume 211. Pages 112925. Jul 20, 2026. Epub Jul 20, 2026.

Abstract

To examine the network structure of parental burnout, supportive care needs, and social support, and to identify key symptoms and bridging factors.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire, Supportive Care Needs Survey, and Social Support Rating Scale. Network analysis was performed in R to estimate centrality and bridge centrality indices.
A total of 219 parents were included. Burnout levels were high (mean = 4.05 ± 1.04), with a prevalence of 65.8%. Parental burnout was higher among parents sleeping <6 h (F = 6.894, P = 0.001), those with heavy financial burden (F = 9.899, P < 0.001), greater stressor exposure (F = 17.852, P < 0.001), and children with more complications (F = 6.950, P = 0.001). Daily care and communication needs and cognitive weariness were central nodes (strength = 1.333, 1.096). Tension was a bridge node (bridge strength = 0.366). Listlessness showed the highest negative bridge expected influence (BEI = -0.294), while economic needs showed the strongest positive bridge expected influence (BEI = 0.124).
Parents of children with brain tumors experience significant burnout. Short sleep duration, heavy financial burden, higher stressor exposure, and more child complications were associated with higher burnout. Daily care and communication needs and cognitive weariness were central nodes. Tension was a bridge node linked to economic needs, while listlessness shows the strongest negative bridge influence. Early screening and targeted interventions addressing caregiving needs, financial burden, and psychosocial support may reduce burnout.

PMID:
42492113
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Jul 2026.

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