Abstract:

Background: Studies have shown the correlation between children’s physical disabilities and parental stress. The importance of the length of systemic therapy including stress management has also been emphasized in the literature. This study aims to explore the results of a holistic mental and health promotion intervention on parents caring for children with cerebral palsy.

Methods: Self-administered scales (Questionnaires) were employed to measure lifestyle variables, perceived stress, depression and anxiety, locus of control, and spirituality. Prior to commencement of the study, the informed consent of the participants were sought and obtained and ethical clearance was also obtained. A sample size of 80 participants was also calculated for the study. Stress management techniques were taught to the participants in the intervention group who also attended lectures on health behaviors. The control group were placed on normal existing protocol. Odd and even numbers of the participants’ birthdate was employed in allocating them to either the intervention or the control groups. The intervention group participated in the health promotion programs for a period of 8 weeks after the pretest measurements. The control group were only placed on the normal existing protocols after the pretest measurements. Both group participants underwent posttest measurements after the 8 week period. Chi-square test was used to determine any significance difference in terms of sociodemographic variables between the two groups. Independent t-test was employed to determine significantt difference between the two groups in relation to mean scores of psychosocial problems after intervention. Paired t-test was also used to determine any significant difference between mean scores of psychosocial problems before and after intervention in the intervention group. Statistical level of significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: The results of the independent t-test revealed that the null hypotheses in respect of the anxiety and depression subscales of Depression Anxiety Stress scale (DASS-21) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) were rejected. Significant difference was found after intervention between groups regarding the anxiety and depression subscales of DASS-21 (t = 4.75, p < 0.05) and Perceived Stress Scale PSS-14 (t = -2.76, P < 0.05). The results of the Chi-Square test showed no significant difference between the groups regarding the sociodemographic variables of the respondents in respect of the participants’ sex (X² = 1.127, P > 0.05), participants’ number of children (X² = 1.747, P > 0.05), participants’ level of education (X² = 3.936, P > 0.05), participants’ religion (X² = 0.464, P > 0.05) and participants’ ethnic groups (X² = 3.387, P > 0.05). However the study found significant difference with respect to the participants’ marital status (X² = 7.014, P < 0.05).

The paired samples t-test showed significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the participants’ psychosocial problems with regards to the DASS-21 (t₃₉ = 12.758, P < 0.05) and PSS-14 (t₃₉ = 79.514, P < 0.05) in the intervention group.

Conclusion: The objectives of this study to reduce the levels of depression, stress and anxiety in parents caring for children with cerebral palsy in Ile-Ife, south-west, Nigeria was achieved. As a result of these achievements, the objective of improving the Quality Of Life (QOL) of the participants was also realized.

Keywords: Mental Promotion, Health Promotion, Cerebral Palsy, Parents, Children.

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