Yeşim Ceylantekin, Büşra Yar
A significant weak negative correlation was found between caregiving burden and compassion (p < 0.01), a significant positive correlation was observed between caregiving burden and psychological well-being (p < 0.01). Psychological well-being is a variable that significantly predicts caregiving burden (p = 0.002). While compassion was not found to be significant in one dimension (p = 0.522), its sub-dimensions, indifference (p = 0.021), and conscious awareness (p < 0.029) were significant.
BACKGROUND: Caregiver burden is a major concern for those caring for children with special needs, who face more health issues. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of compassion and psychological well-being on perceived caregiver burden among family caregivers of children with special needs.
METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, single-center study was carried out at the Afyonkarahisar Private Special Education and Rehabilitation Center from September 12, 2024, to February 25, 2025. The sample consisted of 260 family caregivers. The study utilized the Sociodemographic Information Form, Caregiver Burden Scale, Compassion Scale, Psychological Well-being Scale for Married Women and Men as data collection tools. Normality of the data was assessed using Skewness-Kurtosis, Pearson correlation, ANOVA, hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
FINDINGS: A significant weak negative correlation was found between caregiving burden and compassion (p < 0.01), a significant positive correlation was observed between caregiving burden and psychological well-being (p < 0.01). Psychological well-being is a variable that significantly predicts caregiving burden (p = 0.002). While compassion was not found to be significant in one dimension (p = 0.522), its sub-dimensions, indifference (p = 0.021), and conscious awareness (p < 0.029) were significant.
DISCUSSION: The care burden varied depending on the child's disability, remained constant despite the burden of affectionate care, and psychological well-being was significantly affected.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Family caregivers need to be clearly informed about care funding, leave policies, and support services. Peer support groups should be established for caregivers, and cognitive-behavioural interventions should be implemented. In primary healthcare settings, psychosocial support should be integrated into care processes to facilitate early identification of caregivers at risk.