The Association Between Functional Independence in Children With Cerebral Palsy And Parental Perceptions of Family-Related Problems and Pessimism

Objective: This study aims to investigate the perceived stress levels of families with children diagnosed with cerebral palsy(CP), with a particular focus on family-related problems and levels of pessimism across various demographic and contextual variables. Methods: The study was conducted with the families of 67 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy who were receiving treatment at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli University Hospital. Participants' socio-demographic characteristics were obtained through a structured socio-demographic information form. Functional independence was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), and family stress was measured using the Family Stress Questionnaire (QRS-F). Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between the WeeFIM scores and the 'Parent–Family Problems' subscale of the QRS-F. A statistically significant correlation was observed between the 'Pessimism' subscale and the following WeeFIM scores: Self-care (p=0.028, r=-0.268), Mobility (p=0.037, r=-0.255), Communication (p=0.033, r=-0.261), Social situation (p=0.036, r=-0.257), Motor subscore (p=0.033, r=-0.261), Cognitive subscore (p=0.030, r=-0.266), and Total score (p=0.020, r=-0.285). Conclusion: This study emphasizes the psychological impact of caring for a child with CP. Functional independence levels of children do not make a difference in terms of parental-family problems; less parental-family problems are perceived when both mother and father work in the family.