Mechanistic examination of why caregiver strain undermines quality of life: unravelling the roles of mental health symptoms and social participation

Developmental disabilities (DDs) that occur in early childhood can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s daily functioning. This paper emphasises the need for interventions for children with DDs and their families, as parents of children with DDs may experience high levels of strain and mental health symptoms. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of caregiver burden on Korean parents of children with DDs. Analyses were conducted to examine the mediating effects of mental health symptoms and social participation on the relationship between caregiver burden and quality of life (QoL). The results indicate that caregiver strain has a negative effect on QoL, and parental mental health symptoms and social participation mediate this relationship. The findings provide insights for practitioners in social work and special education involved with Korean parents of children with DDs and highlight the support systems needed to enhance their wellbeing.