Assessment of Caregiver Burden, Depression and Quality of Life Levels Among Mothers of Children with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: The causes of mental health problems among mothers of children with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) associated with childcare are still not fully understood. This study, thus, has aim to assess the intensity of caregiver burden, depression and quality of life levels in mothers of children with CKD compared to a control group. It also aims to identify determinants associated with mental health outcomes.

Methods: Mothers of children diagnosed with CKD who were followed up in Pediatric Nephrology outpatient clinics were included as the case group. Mothers with similar demographic characteristics were taken as the control group. During the study, 72 children with CKD, 78 control children and their mothers were enrolled. The study data was obtained using the Sociodemographic Data Form (SDF) developed by the researchers, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref).

Results: The groups did differ significantly in terms of maternal psychopathology (p = .024). The most common maternal psychopathology among mothers was Major Depressive Disorder. Mothers of children with CKD had significantly higher level of caregiver burden and depression levels. Quality of life levels among mothers of children with CKD were significantly decreased compared to controls. Caregiver burden was found to predict quality of life in mothers of children with CKD (β = -0.539; p < .050).

Conclusion: Caregiving burden, depression, and poor quality of life are common among mothers of children with CKD. Addressing caregiver burden may be beneficial for quality life of mothers.