Describing Sociodemographic Factors, Quality of Life, and Hopelessness of Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) experience various limitations in daily and social life due to structural and functional impairments. These limitations affect their sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life (QoL), and emotional well-being. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic factors, QoL, and hopelessness levels of adults with CP.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Amasya, Türkiye, between 2020 and 2021. It included 102 adults with CP. The Sociodemographic Evaluation Form was administered to all participants, and the
Short Form-36 (SF-36) QoL Scale and Beck Hopelessness Scale were administered to 54 participants without intellectual disability. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis were used for analysis.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.78 years. The participants’ profile was characterized by low educational attainment (40.2% illiterate) and high unemployment (78.4% not working). Physical Role (38.27 ± 45.51) and
Physical Function (45.87 ± 33.30) had the lowest SF-36 scores. The majority (74%) exhibited minimal to mild hopelessness. Significant negative correlations were found between hopelessness and several QoL subscales, most notably
Vitality (r=−0.63) and General Health Perception (r = −0.57).

Conclusions: This study provided important insights into the challenges faced by adults with CP, highlighting limitations in physical functioning, role-physical, general health, and vitality, as well as the presence of moderate to severe
hopelessness in some of the participants. The findings revealed a strong negative relationship between QoL and hopelessness and emphasized the need for comprehensive interventions that supported both functional independence and
psychosocial well-being.

Cite this article as: Kavak M, Cevik D. Describing sociodemographic factors, quality of life, and hopelessness of adults with cerebral palsy: A cross-sectional study.
Arch Health Sci Res. 2026, 13, 0037, doi: 10.5152/ArcHealthSciRes.2026.24037.