Quality of life in parents of children with Autism spectrum disorder: Emphasizing challenges in the Indian context.

Research has raised concerns about the quality of life (QOL) of parents of children with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Parents in different cultures show different psychological functioning when caring for a child with ASD. Hence, we examined QOL in parents of children with ASD in India and its relationship with socio-demographic factors. We used a self-reported questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF instrument to collect data on socio-demographic details and QOL respectively. Data were collected from two groups of participants - parents of children with ASD and parents of typically developing children ( = 60). Results revealed significant differences in QOL between the two groups. Further, we found a positive correlation between socio-demographic variables and QOL in parents of children with ASD. Findings emphasize the need for intervention approaches aimed at family functioning, improving support services, and assisting parents to develop healthy coping strategies.