Time demands of caring for children with cerebral palsy: what are the implications for maternal mental health?

Aim: To examine the relationship between maternal mental health problems and the time required by mothers to care for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: Cross-sectional study of 158 mothers of children with cerebral palsy (98 males, 60 females; mean age 11y 3mo, range 6-17y). Gross Motor Function Classification System levels of the children were 37% level I, 20% level II, 9% level III, 12% level IV, and 22% level V.

Time demands of caring for children with autism: what are the implications for maternal mental health?

This study examined the relationship between maternal mental health problems and both caregiving time and experience of time pressure for 216 mothers of children with autism. Data describing caregiving time was obtained using 24-h time-diaries. Standard questionnaires were used to assess time pressure, social support, children's emotional and behavioural problems, and maternal mental health problems.