SEVERITY OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND THEIR CORRELATION WITH FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the severity of depression and anxiety among caregivers of children having cerebral palsy and correlate severity with the type of cerebral palsy and functional capability of the child.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Psychiatry and Rehabilitation Medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Gujranwala, from Oct 2015 to Aug 2018.

Methodology: Through consecutive sampling, 186 caregivers diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression based on the diagnostic criteria of International Classification of Diseases version 10, and their cerebral palsy children were recruited. Symptom severity was assessed using Beck Depressive Inventory for depression and Beck Anxiety Inventory for anxiety. The functional capabilities of the children were assessed through gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). For correlation, Pearson’s chi square test was used using SPSS version 20.

Results: The mean age was 30 ± 3.3 years. Fourteen (7.5%) were fathers of cerebral palsy children and 172 (92.5%) were mothers of cerebral palsy children. Majority of the cerebral palsy children 74 (39.8%) had spastic diplegia and the functional level I of gross motor function classification system 53 (28.5%). Most of the caregivers had mild anxiety and minimal depression (33.9% and 38.7% respectively). Significant correlation existed among the gross motor functional capability and the level of anxiety but not with depression (p<0.01 and p=0.155 respectively). No statistical association was found between the type of cerebral palsy and the level of anxiety or depression (p=0.240 and p=0.102 respectively).

Conclusion: Most caregivers in our study had mild anxiety and minimal depression..............