Examination of the relationship between care burden and loneliness levels of parents caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

INTRODUCTION

Considering the gap in the literature, this study aimed to examine the association between care burden and loneliness among parents caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

METHODS

A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was used. The study sample consisted of 147 parents who provided non-professional care to their children with intellectual disabilities. A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the association between care burden and caregivers' loneliness after controlling for gender, employment status, and the number of individuals living in the household.

RESULTS

Care burden differed significantly according to gender and employment status and was significantly associated with caregiving duration and the number of individuals living in the household. After controlling for gender, employment status, and the number of individuals living in the household, care burden remained significantly associated with caregivers' loneliness, accounting for an additional 15.9% of the variance in loneliness (ΔR2 = 0.159, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the association between care burden and loneliness among parents caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities.