Caregiver Burden and Well-being of Caregivers to Hospitalized Filipino Children with Neurological Conditions: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background. Taking care of pediatric patients with neurological conditions in prolonged hospital stays can affect caregivers’ health due to the demands of caregiving beyond daily parenting.

Objectives. The study aimed to determine the association between caregiver burden and well-being among caregivers of hospitalized Filipino children with neurological conditions, and the prevalence rate of caregiver burden, and assess the subjective perception of well-being of caregivers attending to these patients.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 primary caregivers of pediatric patients with neurological conditions admitted to the Pediatric Neurology ward of the Philippine General Hospital from December 2024 to January 2025. Eligible participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic and clinical information, the Modified Caregiver Strain Index–Filipino (MCSI-F) to assess caregiver burden, and the World Health Organization–Five Well-being Index (WHO-5) to assess subjective well-being. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and univariable logistic regression were used for data analysis at a 0.05 level of significance.

Results. The mean age of participants was 35 years, with most being mothers (79%), female (87%), and unemployed (48%). The prevalence of caregiver burden was 59%, with 23% reporting severe strain. Impaired well-being was found in 92% of participants. Although caregivers with burden showed higher odds of impaired well-being (OR 4.91, 95% CI 0.93–25.76), the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.060). No caregiver or patient characteristic showed a significant relationship with burden or well-being.

Conclusion. High prevalence rates of caregiver burden and impaired well-being, among caregivers of hospitalized Filipino children with neurologic conditions at a single tertiary center, were seen. Interventions such as periodic psychosocial and caring support and development of family-centered care plans may be considered to help decrease the burden of care in caregivers among this population.