Correlation and Prevalence of Caregiver Burden and Its Impact on Quality of Life Among Parents of Children With Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that imposes substantial physical, emotional, and functional demands on families, particularly primary caregivers. Persistent caregiving responsibilities may lead to elevated parental stress, which in turn can adversely affect overall family quality of life. However, limited local evidence quantifies this association using validated instruments within tertiary rehabilitation settings. Objective: To determine the prevalence of parental stress and examine its association with family quality of life among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 150 primary caregivers of children with CP attending a tertiary care rehabilitation center. Parental stress was assessed using the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and family quality of life was measured using the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module (FIM). Descriptive statistics summarized demographic and clinical variables. Pearson correlation and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between parental stress and family quality of life, adjusting for demographic factors. Results: The mean PSS score was 53.11 ± 9.14, with 74.7% of caregivers reporting moderate stress and 12.7% severe stress. The mean PedsQL-FIM total score was 71.03 ± 9.25. A statistically significant moderate-to-strong negative correlation was observed between parental stress and family quality of life (r = −0.600, p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that each one-point increase in PSS score was associated with a 0.61-point decrease in PedsQL-FIM total score. Conclusion: Parental stress is highly prevalent and significantly associated with reduced family quality of life among caregivers of children with CP. Integrating caregiver stress screening and psychosocial support into rehabilitation programs may improve family-centered outcomes.