Child and Adult Factors Related to Quality of Life in Adults with Autism.
The WHO Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire was used to assess quality of life (QoL) among 52 adults with autism (mean age 49 years) followed-up since childhood. Overall, assessments of QOL were more positive than measures of objective social outcome (jobs, independence, relationships etc.) but correlations between caregiver and self-reports were low. Informant ratings indicated few correlations between current QoL and any child or adult factors. On self-report ratings, QoL was significantly negatively correlated with severity of repetitive behaviours in childhood; higher QoL was positively associated with better adult social outcomes. However, only a minority of adults (n = 22) could provide self-report data and findings highlight the need to develop valid measures for assessing the well-being of adults with autism.
Great Ormond Street Hospital, Level 3, Italian Building, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
Philippa
P
Moss
Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
William
W
Mandy
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, Denmark Hill, London, SE58AF, UK. patricia.howlin@kcl.ac.uk.|Faculty of Health Sciences, Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia. patricia.howlin@kcl.ac.uk.
Patricia
0000-0002-1804-6053
P
Howlin
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report
Adult; Adult outcome; Autism; Quality of Life