Factors associated with quality of life among mothers of children with cerebral palsy

AimTo identify the factors pertaining to the quality of life (QOL) among the mothers of patients with cerebral palsy. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 203 mothers of children with cerebral palsy were selected using convenience sampling. The World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Caregiver Difficulties Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and a demographic information questionnaire were administered to these caregivers. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was used to detect the factors associated with QOL. ResultsModerate to high significant negative correlations were observed between all WHOQOL-BREF domains and the other measures. The demographic/clinical variables were controlled, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was run. The results indicated that depression, the burden of care, fatigue, and the type of cerebral palsy could significantly predict QOL in these mothers. Furthermore, QOL was lower in the mothers of children with tetraplegia than those of children with other types of disabilities (P < .05). ConclusionQOL of mothers of children with cerebral palsy is negatively impacted by various factors such as burden of care, fatigue, and psychological symptoms. Thus, a holistic approach, including training (carrying, positioning, feeding, and how to manage the self-care of children) and psychological interventions, is required to improve QOL among this population. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? Unlike developed countries, there are a few studies conducted on caregivers of patients with cerebral palsy in developing counties. The lack of any supporting systems in developing countries caused most of the burden of care to be on the shoulders of caregivers. What this paper adds?This paper showed that the burden of care of mothers caused psychological symptoms such as depression, stress, and decrease in QOL. The implications of this paper: Considering the chronicity of cerebral palsy and that caregivers may provide care long-term, interventions are needed in order to decrease the burden of care and psychological symptoms and enhance QOL. The significant relationship between severity of cerebral palsy and burden of care indicates special training packages could be targeted to decrease the burden of care, physically, emotionally, and financially.