EFFECT OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ON THEIR MOTHER’S QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of behavioral problems of children with Autism on their mother’s quality of life. Study Design: Cross-sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: The sample was selected from different special education institutes of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, from Mar 2017 to Sep 2017. Methodology: The study was conducted on 100 participants (n=50 mothers, n=50 diagnosed children with Autism). Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data. World Health Organization Quality of life scale-BREF and Childhood Autism Rating Scale-CARS were used. Results: Results showed that children’s autism related behavioral problem has a significant negative relationship with quality of life of their mothers (Β=-0.67, p<0.05). Quality of life was found high in postgraduate mothers, n=25 (50%) while autism related behavioral problems were less in children with postgraduate mothers. Results of t-test analysis showed that mothers living in joint family scored high on quality of life. Quality of life among working mothers was found high and children of working mothers exhibited less autism related behavioral problems than children of non-working mothers as indicated by t-test analysis. Conclusion: Present study demonstrated that children’s autism related behavioral problems were negatively related with their mother’s quality of life. Postgraduate, working mothers living in joint family system have better quality of life than undergraduate, non-working mothers living in nuclear family system.