engleski

A comparative study on self-perceived health and quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and parents of non disabled children in Croatia

Aim wasthe assessment of health and quality of life of parents with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). A total of 350 parents participated in the study, 178 parents of children with ASD diagnosed under code F84 the ICD-10 and 172 parents of non-disabled control children matched by age, education, and location. Parents’self-perceived health was assessed using the health status questionnaire SF-36 – Croatian version, while the Personal Well-being Index (PWI) was used to assess SQoL. Sociodemographic information, chronic medical conditions, and needs were collected by general questionnaire. For all dimensions of health, except physical health, parents of children with ASD had significantly poorer selfperceived health, and reported significantly more deteriorated health in the last year than the control group(p<0.001). They also reported more psychological disorders (11 vs 43%), which was the largest difference in specified chronic medical conditions. Parents of children with ASD also reported a significantly lower SQoL. Seventyone per cent of parents of children with ASD thought that introducing different policy measures (economic, social, educational) for them and their children could enhance their health and well-being. Parents of children with ASD had poorer health and quality of life than the control group in all areas, except physical health. Because the parents are at the centre of supporting the child with ASD, preserving parents’ good health and well- being is a precondition for optimal care for the child. The current system for treating children with ASD in Croatia should also include working towards permanent improvements in their health and well-being.

quality of life; health; parents; autism

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04011.x