JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Caregivers of children with mental health challenges are at heightened risk for burnout and absenteeism. This strain affects both their well-being and work performance, contributing to widespread workplace issues. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) are increasingly used to support pediatric mental health, but their impact on caregiver outcomes remains underexplored.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the associations between caregiver burnout, absenteeism, comorbid symptoms, and child mental health problems, and to assess whether caregiver burnout and absenteeism improved as their child participated in a pediatric DMHI.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 6,506 caregivers whose children (ages 1-17) received care from Bend Health, Inc., a pediatric DMHI. Caregiver burnout absenteeism, and comorbid symptoms and child mental health symptoms were measured monthly. Cumulative link models were used to assess the associations of between child symptoms and caregiver outcomes, and to assess changes in caregiver outcomes over the course of the DMHI.

Results:

At baseline, 45.96% of caregivers reported elevated burnout and 28.96% reported elevated absenteeism. More severe burnout was predicted by having a child with elevated symptoms of any type (all P<.01). More severe absenteeism was significantly predicted by having a child with elevated symptoms of depression (z = 3.33, p < .001), anxiety (z = 3.96, p < .001), inattention (z = 2.48, p = .013), and hyperactivity (z = 2.12, p = .027). After one month in care, 50% of caregivers reported reduced burnout, and 73% reported reduced absenteeism (p < .001). Greater months in care predicted less severe caregiver burnout (z = -5.48, p < .001) and absenteeism (z = -6.74, p < .001).

Conclusions:

DMHIs for children may reduce caregiver burnout and absenteeism. These findings emphasize the value of employers offering pediatric DMHIs as part of employee benefits, potentially enhancing workplace outcomes.