Psychological Status of Mothers with Firstborns Diagnosed of Cerebral Palsy

Abstract Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neurological disorder affecting motor functions, caused by permanent brain damage during the prenatal, perinatal, or early postnatal stages. Although research highlights heightened stress, anxiety, and depression among mothers of children with CP, little is known about these psychological challenges faced by mothers of firstborns diagnosed with the condition. Therefore, the study seeks to evaluate the psychological status of mothers whose firstborns have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in Ghana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study with proportion sampling technique was used to collect data on the psychological status of 75 mothers whose first child had been diagnosed with CP. The study was conducted at four physiotherapy units in Ghana, namely Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital. The data was collected using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) tool. Results: The mean age of the participants was 29.61(SD=6.35), with majority 42.7%(n=32) having one child and almost half of the participants 49.3%(n=37) having primary education and 13.3%(n=10) having no education. The study found significant psychological burdens among mothers, with severe levels of depression (mean=22.51 ± 8.648) and stress (mean=26.53 ± 7.987). Notably, 46.7%(n=35) of mothers experienced moderate depression, while 33.3%(n=25) faced severe stress. Anxiety levels were generally normal (mean=5.85 ± 2.481), with 82.7% (n=52) of mothers in the normal range. The results showed strong significant positive correlations between depression and anxiety (r =0.721, p < 0.001), depression and stress (r = 0.930, p < 0.001) and anxiety and stress (r = 0.738, p < 0.001). Significant variations in stress were observed across age groups (χ2 = 19.783, p = 0.028), and a notable correlation was found between the number of children and depression levels (χ2 = 21.77, p = 0.030). Conclusion : The study emphasizes the importance of supportive psychological interventions that are crucial to address the unique burdens faced by these mothers in the Ghanaian context and also highlights the need for Health Professionals (Physiotherapists) to identify mothers who need psychological interventions and make appropriate referrals. Clinical Trial Number : Not Applicable.