Psychosocial Problems Facing Parents of Children with Neurological Disorders. A Study at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Abstract

Chronic neurological conditions impose psychosocial problems on caregivers. The objective of this study was to survey and describe caregivers’ psychosocial experiences; beliefs and effects neurological illness have on the family and social life. A purposive sample of 160 parents enrolled using a standard questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic information, beliefs and psychosocial experiences. Data analysis demonstrated that mean stress reported by the caregivers was 69.7 and standard deviation of stress was 2.45. This implies that all parents reported moderately high level of stress (69.7). In addition, results obtained from one sample t-Test Analysis confirm the fact that stress associated with caring for neurologically ill child is significantly high (p < 0.5). There is the need to provide caregivers with adequate information to prepare them well to leave with the disability with minimal stress. The level of stress experienced by caregivers calls for psychological support to carers and stress management interventions