Depression in mothers of children with cerebral palsy and related factors in Turkey: a controlled study

The primary objective of the study was to determine whether there was any difference, with respect to depression, between mothers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and mothers of healthy children. The secondary objective was to evaluate whether some additional factors had an impact on the depression of the mothers. The study included 49 children with CP, 50 healthy children, and their mothers. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was applied to all mothers to assess symptoms of depression. CP severity was assessed with the Gross Motor Functional Classification System. BDI scores of the mothers of children with CP were found to be significantly higher (P=0.002) than the mothers of healthy children. Mothers' depression did not vary depending on CP type. Gross Motor Functional Classification System level did not affect mothers' depression. Mothers' depression status was significantly affected by the presence of speech problems in children with CP (P=0.036) and a significant negative correlation was found between BDI scores and income (P=0.007). It is very important to pay attention to the psychological health of the mothers and to provide the families with psychological and social support to ensure the efficiency of rehabilitation program and to meet the objectives.