Research on the Quality of Life of the Parents by Functions, Activities, Participation, and Environmental Factors of Children with Cerebral Palsy Using ICF-CY Checklist

Kwon, Hyun Sook; Son, Sung Min

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study examined whether the quality of life of parents of children with cerebral palsy is affected by the functions, activities, participation, and environmental factors using an ICF-CY check list.
METHODS
This study recruited in 26 parents of children with cerebral palsy. The functions, activities, participation, and environmental factors of the children were evaluated using ICF-CY checklist. To measure the quality of life of parents, this study used world health organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), which was composed of a total of 26 questions. The GMFCS (gross motor function classification system) was used to assess the degree of disability in the children. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of the ICF-CY checklist on the quality of life. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlation between GMFCS and WHOQOL.
RESULTS
The functions, activities, participation, and environmental factors were significantly different from WHOQOL-BREF. On the other hand, the contextual factor showed a significant difference in the neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions (b7), and service, systems, and policies (e5)(p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that the functions and environmental factors affect the quality of life of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, these findings suggest that contextual factors, such as neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions (b7), and service, systems and policies (e5), which can be facilitators, should be considered for improving the quality of life of parents of children with cerebral palsy.