Child participation in digital mental health care is associated with reductions in caregiver workplace burnout and absenteeism: A retrospective study (Preprint)
Authors: Lawrence-Sidebottom Darian , Huffman Landry , Beam Aislinn , Guerra Rachael , Parikh Amit , Roots Monika , Huberty Jennifer 
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Caregivers of children with mental health problems are at increased risk for difficulties within the workplace such as burnout and absenteeism. Given that both burnout and absenteeism are closely linked to reduced work performance, increased employee turnover, and significant productivity costs, there is a clear incentive for employers to provide pediatric mental health care to their employees. DMHIs can offer effective treatment for common mental and behavioral health problems at a greater cost-effectiveness ratio relative to standard care, thus rendering them an attractive option to employees and employers alike. Although evidence suggests that caregivers may experience benefits to their own well-being when their children participate in care with a pediatric DMHI, no studies to date have assessed the potential impact of children’s participation in a pediatric DMHI on caregiver burnout and absenteeism.

OBJECTIVE

The current study uses retrospective caregiver-reported data among families participating in a pediatric DMHI to 1) explore baseline associations between caregiver work-related symptoms (burnout and absenteeism) and caregiver sleep problems, parental stress, and child mental health problems, and 2) assess whether caregivers’ burnout and absenteeism improve while their children participate in a pediatric DMHI.

METHODS

Caregivers with a child or adolescent participating in behavioral coaching and/or therapy with Bend Health Inc., a collaborative care DMHI, were included in the study (N = 579). Caregiver burnout and absenteeism, as well as sleep quality (insomnia severity), parental stress, and child and adolescent mental health outcomes, were reported approximately every 30 days. Caregiver outcomes were assessed at baseline and throughout duration of participation with the DMHI.

RESULTS

At baseline, 48.5% (n = 281) of caregivers had elevated burnout and 27.6% (n = 160) had elevated absenteeism. Compared to caregivers with non-elevated workplace symptoms, caregivers with elevated burnout and absenteeism had higher rates of sleep problems and parental stress (both P < .001), and their children had higher rates of elevated mental health symptoms (depressive, inattention, hyperactivity, oppositional, and sleep problems; all P < .05). While caregivers’ children were in care, burnout decreased for 56.0% (n = 158) of caregivers and the number of full days of work missed decreased for 70.4% (n = 112). Each additional month was associated with greater reductions in burnout (F1,735 = 99.23, P < .001) and full days of work missed (F1,408 = 65.10, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides preliminary evidence that caregivers show decreases in their burnout and absenteeism when their children participate in a pediatric DMHI. As such, employers should consider offering pediatric digital mental health care to employees with children experiencing mental health difficulties.