Psychological Distress and Coping Mechanisms among Caregivers of Children Living with Cerebral palsy: A qualitative study

Background Caring for children with cerebral palsy places considerable emotional, physical, social, and financial strain on caregivers, particularly in low-resource settings such as Ghana where access to rehabilitation services and support systems is limited. Despite increasing awareness of caregiver distress, little qualitative research has explored the lived experiences and coping strategies of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Ghana. This study therefore explored the psychological distress and coping mechanisms among caregivers attending a secondary hospital in Ghana. Methods This qualitative exploratory study was conducted among 15 purposively selected primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy attending the paediatric neurology clinic at Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, Ghana. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews, audio-recorded with consent, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using the Braun and Clarke approach. Data collection continued until saturation was achieved, while trustworthiness was ensured through measures of credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability. Results All participants were mothers aged 29–63 years. Three major themes emerged: determinants of psychological distress, manifestations of distress, and coping strategies. Financial strain, caregiving demands, delayed diagnosis, and limited information contributed significantly to distress, which manifested as persistent worry, sadness, emotional withdrawal, fear about the child’s future, anger, and frustration. Caregivers coped through acceptance, religious faith, professional and peer support, and reliance on family support systems, with spirituality and family support serving as key sources of resilience. Conclusion Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience considerable psychological distress due to financial hardship, intensive caregiving demands, delayed diagnosis, and limited access to information. This distress is commonly expressed as anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and uncertainty about their children’s future. Despite these challenges, caregivers adopt coping strategies such as acceptance, religious faith, professional guidance, and family support. The findings highlight the need for strengthened caregiver-focused interventions, including psychological support, education, improved social support systems, and better access to early diagnosis and rehabilitation services in Ghana.