Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Nursing

Date of Defense

10-23-2023

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Umit Tokac

Committee

Dr. Anne Fish

Dr. Kim Werner

Dr. Wilma Calvert

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to better understand the overall quality of life (QoL) in the primary caregiver who provides care to the child or adolescent, aged 0-17 with mild, moderate, or severe Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study aligned with a nonexperimental or observational design and examined the severity level of CP and the QoL in the mother and/or father.

For research question 1, regression results indicated that the overall model did not significantly predict the mother’s and father’s QoL [R2 = .000, R2 adj = -.012, F(1,80) = .003, p = .957]. Regression results indicated that the overall model did not significantly predict the mother’s mental and physical QoL [R2 = .002, R2adj = -.007, F(1,111) = .268, p = .606]. Regression results indicated that the overall model did not significantly predict the father’s mental and physical QoL [R2 = .000, R2adj = -.011, F(1,86) = .024, p = .877].

For research question 2, there was an association between the number of hours spent providing healthcare and the CP severity description, x2 (16) = 77.79, p 2 (12) = 39.49, p2 (4) = 25.20, p2 (4) = 11.08, p=.026. Regression results indicated an overall model of two indicators (day-to-day emotional care and day-to-day emotional care from the health care provider) that significantly predicted the total score of the mother [R2 = .163, R2adj = .085, F(1, 9) = 2.081, .039]. Regression results indicated an overall model of one indicator (caregiver(s) employment status) that significantly predicted the total score of the father [R2 = .145, R2adj = .042, F(1, 9) = 1.411, .199].

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