Association Between Functional Impairment and Parenting Stress Among Children Diagnosed with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

Association Between Functional Impairment and Parenting Stress Among Children Diagnosed with Diplegic Cerebral Palsy

1. To find out the relation between the severity of ADL limitation in diplegic CP children and the level of parents' stress.
2. To detect the correlation between the PS level to the different domains of ADL limitation.
3. To determine the substantial factors that underlying the parents' stress of those diplegic CP children.

The health and well-being of children are intimately related to their parents' physical, emotional and social health in addition to child-rearing practices. The way parents of CP children deal with their stress may adversely affect their parenting ability, which in turn leads to difficulties for the child, which may lead to more parenting stress. The extent to which parents of CP children adjust and the resources to meet the needs of their children is of primary concern to professionals working in children's healthcare.

To support parents, it is important to determine the level of independence of diplegic CP children in their daily lives. This is necessary to identify predictors of their stress, which may be a mentally debilitating factor in their lives. In return, it may support us as physiotherapists to make more informed decisions about treatment planning, as well as facilitate conversations with parents around identifying sources of stress and developing healthy coping strategies that lead to a better quality of life for their children. Finally, this will have a direct positive impact on the children's abilities

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diplegic CP children.
• Their age ranges from 18 months to five years old.
• All levels of GMFCS will be included.
• Both sexes will be included.
• All children were medically and clinically stable.
• Parents must be able to write and read.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diplegic CP children, who might have one or more of the following:

  • History of chronic cardiac or chest disease.
  • Any behavioral disorders.
  • Current hospitalization for urgent medical reasons.
  • Significant visual or auditory impairment.
  • Previous history of Botox injection within last six months.