Sociodemographic and clinical indicators associated with quality of life among parents of autistic children.

Background: Evidence suggests that parents/carers of autistic children have lower subjective physical and mental health which in turn can affect their overall quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the behavioural and emotional profile of autistic preschool children, parental stress, and an Autism (ASD) specific measure of the parental QoL using a sociodemographic lens.

Methods: A secondary analysis of the data collected from parents of autistic children from six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres (ASELCCs) across six states in Australia. The standardised Quality of Life in Autism scale (QoLA) scale was used as the primary outcome to ascertain the QoL of parents/carers. Primary exposure included child's autistic traits as well as cognitive, adaptive, and behavioural profile; parental stress; and key sociodemographic factors. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine whether the sociodemographic factors and child's autistic traits were significantly associated with parental QoL whilst adjusting for key sociodemographic factors (for the latter).

Results: Among a sample of 518 participants, findings of the regression analyses showed that sibling's ASD diagnosis and carer's disability status were negatively associated with parental QoL (Part A) whereas only sibling's ASD diagnosis was negatively associated with parental QoL (Part B). Additionally, higher parental stress levels, child's internalising, externalising, repetitive behaviours, and communication difficulties were negatively associated with both parental QoL subscales whereas greater adaptive functioning among autistic children was positively linked to better parental QoL.

Conclusion: Findings indicate that a child's autism specific traits as reported by parents have significant impacts on their QoL. Hence, targeted supports in these areas for families could be expected to have benefits not only for the child's outcomes but also for parental QoL.