Caregiver Burden and Quality of Life Among Parents of Children With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Parents caring for children with cancer face substantial physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries like India. Objective: In this study, we aimed to assess caregiver burden and quality of life among parents of children with cancer in the Indian context, and to describe the socio-cultural and economic factors influencing these outcomes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 primary caregivers of paediatric oncology patients were assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), WHOQoL-BREF, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected through interviews and review of medical records. Results: The median ZBI score was 66 (IQR 23.5), with 66% of caregivers experiencing severe burden. Caregiver burden was higher among mothers, caregivers with lower education, those unemployed, and those living in nuclear families. Burden negatively correlated with duration of illness (r = −0.75, P < 0.05) and quality of life across all domains. Perceived social support was low, particularly among caregivers living alone or in nuclear families. Conclusions: High caregiver burden and impaired quality of life were observed among caregivers in a resource-limited setting. Strengthening social support and implementing family-centred interventions may help reduce the burden and improve outcomes.