The Impact of Burden on Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Introduction: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder impacting the functional independence of affected children, often placing considerable physical, emotional and social demands on their caregivers. This burden can negatively influence caregivers’ quality of life (QoL), yet the extent and nature of this association remain underexplored in many low- and middle-income settings. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted amongst primary caregivers of children with CP. Data were collected using standardised tools: the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) to assess caregiver burden and the WHOQOL-BREF to assess QoL. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was used to categorise the severity of motor impairment in children. Spearman’s correlation and regression analyses were performed to explore associations between caregiver burden and QoL domains. Results: A significant proportion of caregivers reported moderate-to-severe levels of burden. Higher ZBI scores were negatively correlated with all domains of QoL, with the strongest inverse relationship observed in the psychological domain ( r = −0.68, P < 0.001). Caregivers of children classified as GMFCS levels IV and V reported significantly higher burden and lower QoL scores compared to those caring for children with milder impairments. Conclusion: This study highlights a strong negative association between caregiver burden and QoL. The findings underscore the need for integrative caregiver support programs focusing on mental health, social participation and economic empowerment to enhance the well-being of families caring for children with CP.