Mental health status of parents of young patients with high myopia

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to investigate the mental health status of parents of patients with high myopia using the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). METHODS: The parents of 160 young patients with high myopia (high myopia group) and 80 healthy children (control group) participated in the study. The SCL-90 was used to evaluate mental health status. The SCL-90 total score and scores on each factor were calculated and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The total SCL-90 score, total mean score, positive score and scores on somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychosis, diet and sleep were significantly higher in fathers and mothers of patients with high myopia than in parents of control group children. There were statistically significant between-group differences in the above indices. CONCLUSION: Parents of children with high myopia are more likely to develop mental health problems than parents of healthy children. This suggests that mental health interventions for parents should not be ignored in the treatment and control of high myopia patients.