Psychological Distress among Caregivers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Nepal

Hans Kristian Maridal, Hanne Marit Bjørgaas, Kristen Hagen, Egil Jonsbu, Pashupati Mahat, Shankar Malakar and Signe Dørheim
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Hans Kristian Maridal: Department of Psychiatry, Molde Hospital, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, 6412 Molde, Norway
Hanne Marit Bjørgaas: Department of Pediatric Neurology/Habilitation, Habu, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway
Kristen Hagen: Department of Psychiatry, Molde Hospital, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, 6412 Molde, Norway
Egil Jonsbu: Department of Psychiatry, Molde Hospital, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, 6412 Molde, Norway
Pashupati Mahat: Centre for Mental Health and Counseling Nepal, Thapathali, Jeetjung Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Shankar Malakar: Centre for Mental Health and Counseling Nepal, Thapathali, Jeetjung Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Signe Dørheim: Sandnes District Psychiatric Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Stavanger University Hospital, 4068 Stavanger, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: Parenting a child with neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) is related to a higher rate of anxiety and depression, increased stress, and reduced quality of life. Although there is reason to believe that parenting children with NDD in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) can be challenging, there is a lack of knowledge on the psychological distress among these caregivers, especially in rural areas. The aim of the study was to examine the psychological distress among caregivers having children with NDD in rural Nepal. Sixty-three caregivers were visited in their homes and interviewed by experienced mental health professionals. This study examined demographic information, severity of disability, perceived caregiver burden, and psychological distress, measured by the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). The study found a high level of psychological distress in the caregivers ( M = 5.38, SD = 2.8). A majority (90.5%) scored two or higher, indicating the presence of a common mental disorder (CMD). Almost half (46%) scored six or higher, indicating a high level of distress. A majority of the caregivers reported that caring for their disabled child had a negative effect on the caregiver’s economy (70%), physical health (65%), social life (64%), and dreams and expectations for the future (81%). There was a significant relationship between the caregiver’s psychological distress (GHQ-12) and degree of disability in the child (Gross Motor Function Classification System), degree of caregiver burden, feeding problems, having health workers as a possible source of help, receiving incentive from the government, having somebody to confide in, and caregiver illiteracy. A forward regression analysis entering the significant factors indicated that caregiver burden, having someone to confide in, and having health workers as a possible source of help were significant related to psychological distress. The final step of the model explained 42.4% of the variance in psychological distress among the caregivers. The study indicates a high level of psychological distress and high overall burden in caregivers of children with NDD in rural Nepal. Further implications for research and service development are discussed.

Keywords: neurodevelopmental disorder; disability; caregiver; psychological distress; low-income country; depression; anxiety; burden; Nepal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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