TITLE:
Self-Perceived Health of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Relation with the Severity Level
AUTHORS:
Clarisse Chatel Garriot, Virginie Villes, Anne Marie Bartolini, Francois Poinso
KEYWORDS:
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Childhood Autistic Rating Scale, Parents, Self-Perceived Health
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.5 No.19,
December
25,
2014
ABSTRACT: Children
with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by deficits in reciprocal
social interaction and communication which have a major effect on the quality
of life of the parents. Self-perceived health of 124 ASD parents was
investigated using the short-form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire. In a
first step, comparative analysis was performed between a control group of
parents and three groups of ASD parents classified according to the severity
levels for autism spectrum disorder. In a second step, correlation analysis was
performed between the self-perceived health of ASD parents and a continuous
rating scale of the
severity level of ASD children, determined with the Childhood Autistic Rating
Scale (CARS) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G).
Results show that as the severity level of ASD symptoms increase, mother’s
perception of their own health decreases. Statistical analysis revealed a very
strong relationship between the Mental Health of the mothers and the ASD
children, especially with the deficit in social interaction. Restrictive and repetitive behavior and
difficulty in play have less direct impact on the quality of life of ASD
mothers. The highest impairment in quality of life was observed for the mothers
of severe autism children, in the time spent at work and the difficulty to perform
activities, due to mental and physical problems. Relationship between fathers
and ASD children is significantly lower than that observed for mothers, except
for problems with work or other daily activities as a result of physical
health. These finding must be taken into account to provide better and more
focused support to ASD mothers, in order to improve the mental health and to
reduce the difficulty in performing activities.