Impact of Caregiver Stress, Anxiety, and Depression on the Quality of Life of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) – A Cross-sectional Study­

Open Access

Abstract

Background: When a child is diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), caregivers often experience significant psychological stress, which can affect family dynamics and overall well-being of the children. High levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in caregivers can lead to negative communication patterns and emotional distress, ultimately affecting both their mental health and the quality of life of children. This study aimed to examine the relationship between caregiver stress, anxiety, and depression and the quality of life of children with ALL. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, Dhaka. Caregiver anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), while stress levels in both children and caregivers were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL^TM) was used to evaluate children's quality of life. Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were performed for statistical analysis. Results: No significant correlation was found between caregiver stress levels and children's quality of life (p>0.05). However, caregiver anxiety and depression were negatively correlated with children's quality of life (p<0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of stress in children were associated with a lower quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: The psychological well-being of caregivers plays a critical role in the quality of life of children with ALL. Although caregiver stress alone may not directly affect results, anxiety and depression in caregivers have a significant negative impact. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive psychosocial support for caregivers and children to improve overall well-being during ALL treatment.