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Volume 14 Issue 5 (May) 2025

Original Articles

Assessing Caregiver Burden And Coping Strategies Among Parents Of Children With Intellectual Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Study In North India
Dr Vishal Chaudhary, Dr. Rakesh Yaduvanshi, Dr. Raies Ahmed, Dr. Saumya S pani

. This study explores the extent of caregiver burden, its impact on caregivers' health, and coping strategies employed to manage these challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 96 caregivers of children aged 3–18 years diagnosed with intellectual disability, attending the Psychiatry Department at Rajshree Medical Research Institute, Bareilly. Data were collected through a structured sociodemographic questionnaire and the 13-item Caregiver Strain Index (CSI), alongside assessment of physical and mental health symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate associations between burden scores and sociodemographic variables. Results: The majority of caregivers were female (58.3%) and aged 41–50 years (46.9%). Most belonged to lower socioeconomic strata (46.9%). The mean caregiver burden score was 36.48 ± 7.31, indicating moderate strain, significantly influenced by age, gender, education, and socioeconomic status (p < 0.05). Common physical complaints included fatigue (67.7%) and sleep disturbances (60.4%), while anxiety (52.1%) and depression (46.9%) were the predominant mental health symptoms. Social support (62.5%) and religious activities (52.1%) were the most utilized coping strategies, while fewer caregivers accessed professional help (31.2%) or engaged in physical activity (26%). Conclusion: Caregiver burden among parents of children with intellectual disabilities is considerable and varies with demographic factors. There is a pressing need for integrated, accessible, and culturally sensitive support systems to address both physical and mental health needs of caregivers, especially those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

 
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