INTRODUCTION: The increasing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders in children produces a major impact in the lives of their families. The caregivers of these children have demanding experiences which may lead to development of depression and/or anxiety. This study sought to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety among caregivers of pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders seen at the UERMMMCI Pediatrics Outpatient Department. It likewise sought to examine factors associated with depression and anxiety. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. Pediatrics Outpatient Department from October 2017 to March 2018 involving caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental anomalies. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the Filipino version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness and Spirituality (BMMRS) Scale, and Primary Caregivers Practices Report were administered to caregivers who met the study criteria and gave their consent. Associations between variables were determined using chi-square analysis and subgroup analysis. RESULTS: More than a third of participants (36.0%) had at least mild anxiety, 29.5% had at least mild depression, and almost half had mild to moderate levels of caregiver burden. There was a signifcant association between the severity of anxiety and the diagnosis of the child (x2 = 23.24, p = 0.006), severity of depressive symptoms (x2 = 93.03, p < 0.001), and level of caregiver burden (x2 = 28.99, p < 0.001). There was a signifcant association between the severity of depressive symptoms and the diagnosis of the child (x2 = 35.34, p < 0.001) and level of caregiver burden (x2 = 38.12, p < 0.001). The level of caregiver burden was associated with the presence and severity of anxiety (x2 = 28.99, p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (x2 = 38.12, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION There were signifcant associations between anxiety, depression, and caregiver burden among caregivers of pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental illnesses. Anxiety and depression scores were found to be correlated with the specifc diagnosis of the child, while caregiver burden was signifcantly associated with the duration of the child’s illness.
Caregivers