Impact of psychological health of

parents of children with cerebral palsy

on couple relationship quality: Registry
study
Natalie Morton Cerebral Palsy Alliance
University of Notre Dame
A/Professor Iona Novak CanChild McMaster
INTRODUCTION

Vulnerable to increased stress

Greater risk of caregiver

burden & separation

Experience anxious/depressive
symptoms as well as lowered
psychological wellbeing

(Barlow 2006; Carlsson 2008; Cheshire 2010; Glenn

2008; Guyard 2010; Lach 2012; Retinick 2007)
importance of couple relationship
to parent wellbeing when there is
a child with disability
 RESEARCH QUESTION:
Does a causal link exist between
psychological health and quality of the
parent-couple dyad?
METHOD | INSTRUMENTS

• Parent psychological
wellbeing = Depression,
Anxiety, Stress Scale
(DASS 21)

• Relationship quality =
Relationship Quality
Index (RQI)

n=65
RESULTS The high response rate
suggests parents do not object
to disclosing their
psychological wellbeing

83%

27%
RESULTS Not predicted
DEPRESSION
B=0.74 (95%CI -0.78
to 2.25) p=0.33

Couple
ANXIETY
relationship B=-1.44 (95%CI -
quality 2.49 to -0.39) p=0.08

STRESS
B=0.79 (95%CI -0.04
Not predicted to 1.63), p=0.06
 Parent feedback regarding their experience of
being asked about their psychological wellbeing
through CP Check-Up program

“I feel very reassured that there are services monitoring my

emotional wellbeing, and they provide me with the opportunity
to take time to reflect how in fact I have been feeling over the
past week or month. “

“Often when you discuss your situation with family/friends

you definitely glide over your relationship status... its really
something you don't want to make known to your family, so it
was really great to discuss this.”
 Why so significantly different to other research?

early intervention staff delivery of message

early hope, optimism and resilience time
Future research questions...

Traumatic birth experience

Waiting for diagnosis or

clarifying information
Effectiveness
research is
therefore
needed
about early
preventative
mental
health
interventions
designed to
keep families
well and
intact, across
the lifespan.