Caregiver Burden in Early Intervention: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Causal Configurations

Background/Objectives: Caregiver burden is a well-documented phenomenon among families of children with disabilities, particularly within early childhood intervention contexts. Although family-centered practices aim to empower parents and foster collaborative relationships with professionals, the specific contribution of families' psychological and social resources to caregiver burden remains insufficiently understood. This study examined the combinations of psychosocial conditions associated with both high and low levels of caregiver burden in families receiving early intervention services. Methods: A total of 117 families of children aged 0-6 years enrolled in an early intervention center in Valencia, Spain, participated in the study. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was applied to identify the combinations of conditions that were necessary and sufficient for the presence or absence of caregiver burden. Results: No single condition was necessary for the outcome, but several sufficient combinations were identified. High caregiver burden was associated with configurations involving low resilience, limited perceived social support, and reduced coping capacity, whereas low burden emerged from configurations characterized by stronger psychosocial resources, particularly high family confidence, resilience, and social support. The solutions showed high consistency and coverage, indicating robust explanatory models for both outcomes. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that caregiver burden in early intervention arises not from isolated factors but from specific interactions among psychosocial conditions. Understanding these causal combinations provides a more nuanced perspective on family functioning and highlights the importance of strengthening resilience and social support within early intervention programs to reduce caregiver burden and promote family well-being.