SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY: IMPACT ON CHILDREN’S PSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the association between the quality of life of mothers of children with cerebral palsy and various sociodemographic characteristics, as well as to analyze the relationship between mothers’ subjective assessments of their quality of life and the psychosocial functioning of their children. The sample consisted of 61 mothers and their children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Data were collected using the PedsQL™ 2.0 Family Impact Module and the PedsQL™ 4.0 Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, both completed by the mothers. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Hollingshead Index. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests, including Spearman’s correlation, and were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. The results indicated that sociodemographic factors had a limited impact on mothers’ quality of life, whereas the psychosocial functioning of the child significantly influenced the mothers’ daily lives. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive support that addresses the emotional and social dimensions of children's health in order to improve the overall well-being of their mothers.