Factors Associated with Well-Being of Family Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Bangkok

Abstract

Objective: This correlational study was conducted to investigate the factors related to the well-being of family caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Materials and Methods: Seventy-five participants meeting the inclusion criteria were family caregivers of children with CP in Bangkok. Data were collected using structured interviews following eight questionnaires including personal factors of children with CP and their family caregivers, knowledge of CP, beliefs of rehabilitation, perceived self-efficacy in care, the burden of care, social support, and well-being of family caregivers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, Spearman rank order correlation, and chi-square test. Results: Findings showed that the mean age (±SD) of children with CP was of 11.0±4.2 years. The perceived self-efficacy in care and social support were significantly positively correlated with the well-being of the family caregivers (p<0.05, 0.01, 0.05, respectively) while the mean the burden of care was significantly negatively associated with the well-being of the family caregivers (p<0.01). Conclusion: The important keys of caring for children with CP should be to provide the knowledge of care and self-support, the social support, and perceived self-efficacy in care of family caregivers to enhance their confidence to solve problems and reduced care burden resulting in the well-being of the family caregivers for children with CP. Keywords: Factors, Well-being, Family caregivers, Children with cerebral palsy