Identification and Ranking of Factors Influencing Marital Conflicts Resulting From Caregiving Stress in Parents of Children With Physical–Motor Disabilities

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify and rank the factors influencing marital conflicts arising from caregiving stress in parents of children with physical–motor disabilities. This study followed an exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents, and inductive–deductive content analysis was used to derive codes and categories. Based on the qualitative findings, a researcher-developed questionnaire was administered to 280 parents in the quantitative phase. Data were analyzed using multivariate regression, correlation analysis, and the Best–Worst Method to prioritize influential factors. Inferential results indicated that caregiving stress (B = 0.41, p < .001), emotional burnout (B = 0.32, p < .001), and financial strain (B = 0.27, p < .001) positively and significantly predicted marital conflict, whereas social support (B = −0.22, p < .001) was a significant negative predictor. The regression model explained 58% of the variance in marital conflict. Best–Worst analysis ranked caregiving stress as the strongest predictor (weight = 0.287), followed by emotional burnout, financial strain, communication difficulties, and low social support. The findings suggest that marital conflict in these families is a multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the interaction of caregiving stress, emotional exhaustion, economic pressure, communication challenges, and insufficient social support. Multilevel interventions targeting parental coping, marital communication, and support systems are essential to reducing marital conflict in families of children with physical–motor disabilities.