Abstract:
The objectives o(this research were to develop a valid and a reliable instrument to assess the
caregiver burden experienced by caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and to assess the
caregiver burden of principal caregivers of such children in the Galle District, their
psychological problems and the predictors of the psychological problems. Phase I of the
study developed and validated a self administered, 25 item, multidimensional scale - the
Caregiver Difficulties Scale (CDS) - to assess the level of caregiver burden experienced by
the principal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy, in a hospital setting. Phase II of the
study assessed the level of caregiver burden experienced by a sample 375 principal
caregivers attending the Teaching Hospital (TH), Karapitiya, using the CDS. The prevalence
of psychological problems of these caregivers was calculated using the General Health
Questionnaire (GHQ). The predictors of psychological problems in caregivers were
determined Using a logistic regression analysis, with a special emphasis on caregiver
burden. The logistic regression analysis identified 5 predictors of psychological problems in
the caregivers. The strongest predictor for presence of psychological problems was the level
of caregiver burden (pO.OO I). The educational level of the caregiver and the age of the
child (pO.OO I) were also predictive or the psychological problems (pO.OO I).
