The Influence of Physical VS. Cognitive Disability on the Caregiver Lifestyle: Quality of Life Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Arwa H Hakeem¹, Danah A Bakhallagi², Lama A Balghusoun³, Mody S Alowais⁴* and Basim S Alsaywid^5,6

¹Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Department, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
²Occupational Therapy, Department, Armed Forces Center for Health Rehabilitation, Taif, Saudi Arabia
³Occupational Therapy, Pediatrics Rehabilitation Department, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
⁴Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Department, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
⁵Education and Research Skills Directory, Saudi National Institute of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
⁶Pediatric Urology Unit, Urology Section, Department of Surgery, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author: Mody S Alowais, Senior Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Department, National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Received: November 10, 2025; Published: December 31, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Disability refers to impairments in body structure or function, difficulties in performing activities or actions, or limitations in participation in the environment [1]. Not only do such disabilities affect the patients themselves, but they also have an impact on those caring for them [1]. The severity and complexity of a disability require a higher level of care and effort from the caregiver. Our aim was to evaluate the quality of life of caregivers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia who provide assistance to disabled patients. The study had two primary objectives, to assess the quality of life of caregivers for all disabled patients and to compare the quality of life of caregivers of physically disabled (dependent) patients with that of caregivers of intellectually disabled patients

Methods: This cross-sectional observational analytical study invited caregivers of physically or intellectually disabled patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria to participate in filling out a self-administered questionnaire about the physical, psychological, social, and financial effects on their lifestyle. We conducted the study at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, and Abdul Latif Jameel Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation (ALJ), encompassing caregivers of patients diagnosed with physical or intellectual disability over a period of five years.

Results: There were 230 primary caregivers filled up the questionnaire and included in the final analysis. The type of patients’ disability in the included caregiver were physical disability, 90 (39.1%), Intellectual disability, 69 (30%), and in 71 (30.9%) caregivers, it was both disabilities. There were 5 different categories of impact or limitations were identified for the caregiver of a disabled patient. Those include psychological, social, financial, abuse, and physical impact.

The quality of life mean scores for physical, intellectual, and both disabilities were 90.2, 89.3, and 91.2, respectively. The Intellectually disabled caregiver had a slightly lower mean score than other disabilities which indicates a slightly better quality of life; however, this difference was not statistically significant; F = 1.98, df = 2, p = 0.82.

Conclusion: Caregivers of intellectually disabled patients experience lower quality of life primarily in regards to psychological impact, whereas caregivers of physically disabled patients experience lower quality of life particularly in regards to financial impact. Caregivers of both physically and intellectually disabled patients experience lower quality of life across social, abuse, and physical impact dimensions. As a result, caregivers that care for both physically and intellectually disabled patients have a lower quality of life compared to caregivers that care for only one type of disability.

 Keywords: Disabled Persons; Intellectual Disability; Physical Disability; Caregivers; Quality of Life; Cross-Sectional Studies; Psychosocial Impact; Social Support; Financial Impact

References

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Citation

Citation: Mody S Alowais., et al. “The Influence of Physical VS. Cognitive Disability on the Caregiver Lifestyle: Quality of Life Study in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 10.1 (2026): 66-71.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2026 Mody S Alowais., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.