Factors affecting health related quality of life and depression levels of mothers in families having children with chronic disabilities

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the contributing factors to health related quality of life (HRQoL) and depression levels of mothers in families having children with chronic disabilities. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey including 580 families recruited from 45 cities across Turkey. HRQoL, depression levels and impact of chronic disabilities of a child on the mothers were gathered by using Nottingham Health Profile, Beck Depression Inventory and Impact on Family Scale (IPFAM), respectively. Other data were acquired using a face-to-face interview method. Findings: Regression analysis showed that the time spent for daily caring activities, disruption of social relations and coping subscale-scores of IPFAM were significant contributors to poor HRQoL and higher depression levels (p