Level of Stress and Caregiver Burden among Caregivers of Cerebral Palsy Children in Lahore City

Saba Rani, Sarah Ehsan, Hafiz Sheraz Arshad

Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the level of stress and caregiver burden among caregivers of Cerebral palsy children in Lahore city. This was an observational cross sectional study, conducted at physical therapy OPD of Childrens Hospital Lahore and Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore. Study was completed within 3 months after the approval from ethical review committee. Data was collected from caregivers of 196 cerebral palsy children. Self-administered questionnaires based on scales named as caregiver burden inventory and caregiver stress self-assessment were used to find out the level of stress and caregiver burden. The majority of cerebral palsy children were females (52.55 %). Total mean score for care-giver stress self-assessment scale was 37.04 (SD =6.26). And the total mean score for care-giver burden inventory was 47.84 (SD =12.08). The response on individual items that was rated highest on caregiver stress self-assessment scale was Afraid of what future hold for loved one 2.71 (SD=.978). The response on individual item that was rated highest on sub scale (time dependency) of care-giver burden inventory was He/she needs my help to perform many daily tasks 2.82 (SD=.872). The caregivers of cerebral palsy children experienced moderate level of stress owing to the care-giving process. Most of caregivers were not satisfied with their emotional health, social relationships, physical health, their childs development and dependency of their child.

Keywords: Caregiver burden, Cerebral Palsy, Quality of life, Self-assessment, Stress