explaining the process of burnout among parents of children with cerebral palsy in the context of trauma and psychological stressors: a grounded theory study protocol

Introduction: cerebral palsy (cp) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that poses significant physical, psychological, and social challenges for both the affected child and the family. caring for a child with cp often exposes parents to chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and a persistent sense of burden that may lead to parental burnout. despite growing attention to caregiver stress, the underlying processes and contextual factors contributing to parental burnout, particularly within the context of trauma and prolonged psychological pressure, remain poorly understood. this study aimed to explain the process of burnout among parents of children with cerebral palsy in the context of trauma and psychological stressors.methods: this qualitative study used grounded theory. participants were the primary caregiver parents (mothers and fathers) from two-parent households whose children had a confirmed cp diagnosis for at least one year. sampling was conducted using purposive and theoretical approaches. data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews with parents and, when theoretically necessary, with members of the healthcare team. data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently, following strauss and corbin's (2015) approach, until theoretical saturation was achieved. ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of birjand university of medical sciences, birjand, iran.results: this study's findings led to the development of a locally and culturally grounded theoretical model explaining the process, stages, and contextual conditions influencing parental burnout among parents of children with cp in iran. the model clarified the dynamic interactions between trauma, psychological stressors, and long-term caregiving demands, offering a comprehensive understanding of how burnout emerges and changes over time.conclusions: these results guide future empirical research and provide a foundation for developing tailored interventions and supportive policies in this context, ultimately enhancing family well-being and strengthening evidence-based care for children with cp.