Family Caregivers' Burden and Coping With Caring for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study in a Low-Resourced Context, Ghana

Background: The family caregivers of children with cerebral palsy experience various challenges during the caregiving trajectory. Objectives: This study explores the family caregivers' burden and coping strategies with caring for children with cerebral palsy in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Design: The study adopted an exploratory, descriptive phenomenological approach. Participants were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and we achieved data saturation with 15 participants. The data were analysed using a thematic approach. Findings: The findings identified that physical strain, work-related challenges and stigma constituted the primary caregiver's burden. The coping strategies employed included emotional coping, displacement/ignoring, seeking knowledge and religious coping. Implications: The nature of the care burden requires deliberate caregiver information and care support throughout the care trajectory. A formal support system will contribute to caregivers' effective and efficient coping with caring for children with cerebral palsy.