Abstract : Background: The Parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) experience substantial psychological and caregiving challenges. These difficulties may be amplified in rural settings because of limited access to mental health services, rehabilitation services, healthcare, and social support. This study examined the relationships of psychological distress, caregiver burden, social support, burnout, and subjective wellbeing among parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in rural India. Method: Study was conducted a cross-sectional analytical design, among 250 parents or primary caregivers of children aged 2–18 years diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disability, and global developmental delay. All the Participants were recruited by using purposive sampling technique from child rehabilitation clinics, tertiary care hospitals, and developmental assessment units in rural Karnataka. To assess perceived stress, depression, anxiety, caregiver burden, perceived social support, and caregiver burnout the Standardized tools were used and data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The mean caregiver age was 34.8 years (SD = 6.2), and 72% were female caregivers. The High perceived stress was reported by 68% of caregivers and was positively associated with depression (r = .59), depressive symptoms by 52%, moderate-to-high anxiety by 49%, and high caregiver burden by 61%. Caregiver burden (r = .62), and burnout (r = .56), ps < .001. The Social support was significantly associated with lower stress, depression, caregiver burden, and burnout, and with better quality of life (ps < .001). Caregiver burden (β = .41), depression (β = .35), and stress (β = .28) significantly predicted adverse caregiver outcomes. The SEM demonstrated acceptable fit (CFI = .93, RMSEA = .05, χ²/df = 2.10). Conclusion: The Caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders experience considerable psychological distress and caregiving burden in rural India, and culturally appropriate community-based interventions are strengthening social support, resilience; improve caregiver well-being and quality of life.

Keyword : Burnout, caregiver, neurodevelopmental disorders, quality of life, rural India, social support.