title: Assessment of health-related quality of life among primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: The impact of caring for a child with autism on caregivers' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to compare the HRQOL scores of caregivers of children with autism to those of the general US population and to identify the factors that influence HRQOL. Caregivers of children with autism had lower HRQOL scores than the general population. Care recipient level of functional impairment, social support, use of maladaptive coping, and burden influenced caregiver mental HRQOL. Care recipient extent of behavioral problems and social support influenced caregiver physical HRQOL. Findings emphasize the use of multi-pronged intervention approach that incorporates components aimed at improving family functioning, increasing support services, and assisting caregivers in developing healthy coping skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA. rkhanna@olemiss.edu
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: S Suresh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Madhavan
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Julie H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Patrick
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tworek
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Becker-Cottrill
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000451:nursing*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires