title: Depression and anxiety among parents and caregivers of autistic spectral disorder children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the presence of depression and anxiety in parents/caregivers of autistic spectral disorder (ASD) children, and to identify associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study carried out between July and December 2011, parents/caregivers of at least one child diagnosed with an ASD (cases group), were recruited through the Saudi Charitable Society of Autism Families and the Autism Clinic in the Pediatric out-patient clinic in King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The parents/caregivers of a normally developed child (control group) were recruited from the Well Child Clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. We used a self-reported questionnaire containing questions on demographic data, as well as the Arabic version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 100 parents/caregivers, 50 cases and 50 controls. More than 50% of the control group was in the age group 26-30 years (56%), while 42% of cases were in the age group 31-35 years. Time lapsed since autism diagnosis was over 3 years in one-third of cases. Twenty-two percent of cases, and only 2% of control parents/caregivers had a history of psychiatric problems (p=0.002). Both the mean depression score, and the mean anxiety score was significantly higher among cases when compared with controls, p<0.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autism is associated with burden and stress for parents/caregivers of the affected child. The demands placed by the disability contribute to a higher overall incidence of depression and anxiety among parents/caregivers.
authors.affiliation: Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Almajmaah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. abu.amerah@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mohammed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Almansour
authors.forename: Mohammed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alateeq
authors.forename: Mansour K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Alzahrani
authors.forename: Metab A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Algeffari
authors.forename: Homaidan T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Alhomaidan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult