Caring under pressure: The relationship of caregivers’ stress, mental health, and self-efficacy in ADHD households

Abstract

Purpose

Investigates the relationship between caregiver stress, mental health, and self-efficacy in families with children diagnosed with ADHD.

Design and methods

A cross-sectional design was utilized, involving 160 caregivers from the Abdullah Al-Tamimi Autism Center in Unaizah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic information, caregiver stress, mental health, and self-efficacy.

Results

The average caregiver stress score was 21.56 (SD = 10.82), with 39.4% reporting severe stress levels. Mental health assessments indicated that 53.1% of caregivers were classified as flourishing. In terms of self-efficacy, 49.4% demonstrated high levels of self-efficacy. Significant negative correlations were found between caregiver stress and mental health (r = −0.343, p < 0.001), and between stress and self-efficacy (r = −0.269, p = 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that increased stress had a negative influence on self-efficacy (B = −0.091, p = 0.049), while improved mental health was positively correlated with self-efficacy (B = 0.164, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis indicated that mental health mediates the relationship between caregiver stress and self-efficacy (indirect effect = −0.062, p = 0.046).

Conclusion

Caregivers of children with ADHD experience significant stress that adversely affects their mental health and self-efficacy. Targeted interventions to support caregiver mental health and enhance self-efficacy are essential for improving caregiver well-being and the quality of care for children with ADHD.

Practice implications

This study underscores the urgent need for interventions that address the mental health and self-efficacy of caregivers, integrating support into treatment plans to enhance coping strategies and resilience.