Pilot Study of Physical and Psychosocial Health Outcomes and Caregiver Burden in Mothers of Children with Physical Disabilities in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? Depressive symptoms and functional limitations were consistently associated with lower quality-of-life scores in caregiving mothers. Higher physical activity was associated with better vitality, social functioning, and mental health. What are the implication of the main findings? Physiotherapy and psychosocial programs may be relevant for supporting mental and physical health in mothers who have children with physical disabilities. Encouraging active lifestyles in caregivers may be associated with lower long-term physical and psychological burden. Background: Mothers caring for children with physical disabilities experience sustained physical and psychological demands; however, evidence simultaneously examining physical activity, functional limitation, pain, caregiver burden, and mental health within local caregiving contexts remains limited. Objective: This pilot study aimed to explore the multidimensional associations between physical and psychological health outcomes and health-related quality of life in mothers caring for children with physical disabilities in Türkiye. Methods: Forty volunteer mothers residing in Yalova, Türkiye, were assessed using the IPAQ–SF, BDI, SF-36, ZBI, ODI, DASH, and SF-MPQ. Data were analyzed in SPSS 26.0 using correlation analyses and exploratory multiple linear regression models, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics, Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses, and exploratory multiple linear regression models were applied. Results: The mean age was 38.52 ± 9.10 years. Depression (BDI) and functional limitation showed pronounced negative associations with quality-of-life domains (e.g., General Health: r = −0.749, p < 0.001). Moderate physical activity was associated with higher vitality, social functioning, and mental health (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest co-occurring links between psychological distress and physical functioning in caregiving mothers. Within the exploratory scope of this pilot study, multidisciplinary approaches that integrate physiotherapy and psychosocial support may be relevant for supporting caregiver health needs.