Association between psychological distress and quality of life among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study

Caring for a Cerebral Palsy (CP) child is associated with psychological and physical demands leading to elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression. This cross-sectional study aims to find the association between stress, anxiety, depression and quality of life among caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and was conducted among 194 caregivers of children with CP. DASS-21, WHOQOL BREF scales were used to evaluate stress, anxiety and depression and Quality of life (QOL), respectively, while the functional capabilities were assessed through the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Data shows a significant negative correlation between DASS and the WHOBREF Scale. Higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression were significantly associated with lower scores across all domains of QOL (p < 0.05). The study highlights a strong association of stress, anxiety, depression amongst caregivers and QOL.