title: Multidisciplinary parent education for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: This quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary parent education program focused on improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study included 42 participants (22 intervention, 20 wait-list control) who were the main caregivers of children with ASD. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. At the end of the multidisciplinary parent education program, significant improvements were observed in the mental HRQOL, family functioning, self-efficacy and positive coping style. The results indicate that a multidisciplinary parent education program, designed for caregivers of children with ASD, may have positive effects on caregivers' mental health-related quality of life, while having little effect on their physical health-related quality of life.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China; School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: ji04binbin@163.com.
authors.forename: Binbin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: 767951031@qq.com.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: The second Xiangya hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: 524027589@qq.com.
authors.forename: Rongfang
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: tangsyuan@126.com.
authors.forename: Siyuan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004505:Education, Nonprofessional / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires