The mediating role of life satisfaction in the effect of caregiving burden on mental well-being in parents of children diagnosed with cleft lip/palate

• Published in: Journal of pediatric nursing
• Main Authors: Çınar Özbay, Sevil, Boztepe, Handan, Gök, Burcu, Özgür, Figen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 02.11.2024
• Subjects: Caregiving burden; Cleft lip; Cleft palate; Life satisfaction; Mental well-being; Parents; Caregiving burden; Cleft palate; Cleft lip; Mental well-being; Parents; Life satisfaction
• ISSN: 0882-5963; 1532-8449; 1532-8449
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.10.033

This study aimed to examine the effect of caregiving burden on the mental well-being of parents of children with cleft lip/palate, with life satisfaction as a mediator. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 347 parents of children with cleft lip/palate. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with the parents between March 18 and September 4, 2023. The data collection tools included a sociodemographic data form, the Zarit Burden Interview, the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. It was found that parents with a higher caregiving burden had lower levels of life satisfaction. Additionally, parents with higher life satisfaction reported better mental well-being. The findings indicated that as the caregiving burden increased, the mental well-being of the parents decreased. The results suggest that life satisfaction mitigates the negative impact of caregiving burden on mental well-being. These findings suggest that life satisfaction plays a significant mediating role in maintaining and supporting parents' mental health. Parents with higher life satisfaction appear to cope better with the challenges posed by caregiving burden, which in turn helps them maintain better mental well-being. The findings show that as the caregiving burden increases, both life satisfaction and mental well-being decrease. Therefore, it is crucial to develop practical interventions to support these parents. •The results indicate that life satisfaction reduces the negative effects of caregiving burden on mental well-being.•This study shows that life satisfaction significantly mediates the support and protection of parents' mental health.•The study show that parents' life satisfaction levels and mental well-being decrease with increasing caregiving burden.