Level of maternal stress and  its association with motor performance of children with cerebral palsy

Introduction

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a motor dysfunction seen among children due to an insult to the developing brain. Mother plays a major role in the family dynamics of Sri Lankan society and stresses experienced by mothers caring for such children are higher. The study attempts to describe the level of stress of mothers of children with cerebral palsy and associations with socio-demographic factors and motor performance of the child.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and Navajeewana Rehabilitation Centre, Tangalle. One hundred CP children and their mothers were enrolled and the Parental Stress Index was used to assess the level of stress. Socio-demographic data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Motor performance of the children was measured using the 30s walk test and section D & E of the Gross Motor Function Measure.

Results

Mean age of mothers was 33.4 years. Mean Parental Stress Index was 49.6 with 44% of mothers showing high stress levels. Level of stress was significantly associated with low income (p<0.001) and female gender of the child (p=0.001). Age (p=0.633) and educational level of mother (p=0.501) did not show any association. There was no relationship between maternal level of stress and motor performance of the child (p=0.947).

Conclusion

Certain socioeconomic factors that increase the stress of mothers of CP children are identified. It is important to have programmes to provide some support to these mothers in order to alleviate such stress and improve the outcomes of home management of CP children.