CAREGIVER BURDEN AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL ILLNESS VERSUS PSYCHOLOGICAL ILLNESS

Abstract

The current study aims to find out the difference between the level of caregiver burden and psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) among mothers of children with Physical illness (Major Thalassemia) and psychological illness (Autism). Sample size (N=100), 50 in each group. Mothers filled out a booklet containing 1) Inform Consent 2) Demographic Form 3) Burden Assessment Scale (BAS) Urdu version contains 19 items has a reliability of 0.78 and 4) Urdu version of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale DASS-21 which has 21 items and good reliability 0.93 coefficient alpha. The study hypothesized that (1) There will be a significant difference in the level of caregiver burden between mothers of children with physical illness (thalassemia) and mothers of children with psychological illness (autism). 2) There will be a significant difference in the level of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) between mothers of children with physical illness (thalassemia) and mothers of children with psychological illness (autism). Moreover, an independent t-test was done to compare the level of burden and distress among bothgroups and it was revealed that the difference is insignificant between both groups.