Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of hope and subjective well-being in the effect of parental resilience on caregiver burden among children with epilepsy. Our findings can provide novel insights for alleviating the caregiver burden experienced by the parents of children with epilepsy.
Methods:From September 2023 to May 2024, this cross-sectional study surveyed 415 parents of children with epilepsy at three children’s hospitals in Suzhou City, China. We recorded data on the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Herth Hope Index (HHI), and the Index of Well-being (IWB) using self-reported questionnaires.
Results: Caregiver burden was negatively associated with resilience (P<0.001), hope (P<0.001), and subjective well-being (P<0.001). Resilience indirectly affected caregiver burden through three mediating pathways, including hope (effect=-0.194), subjective well-being(effect=-0.142), and a combination of hope and subjective well-being (effect=-0.052). They accounted for 23.66%, 17.32%, and 6.34% of the total effect, respectively.
Conclusion:We revealed the multiple mediating effects of hope and subjective well-being on the role of resilience in caregiver burden. Medical staff should pay more attention to the parents of children with epilepsy who have lower resilience and actively take corresponding measures to promote their hope levels, enhance their subjective well-being, and reduce the burden of care.