Abstract
The present study aimed at exploring the status of family cohesion, adaptability, and quality of life of caregivers of children with ASD, as well as the relationship between family cohesion and adaptability, and quality of life. One hundred and sixty-three caregivers of children with ASD from Sichuan province in China were investigated by the Chinese version of Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale and Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale. The results showed that: (1) Caregivers of children with ASD had higher level of family cohesion, lower level of adaptability, and medium level of quality of family life; (2) Family cohesion and quality of life were significantly correlated, and adaptability and quality of life were also significantly correlated; (3) Family cohesion and adaptability had a positive impact on quality of family life.
Highlights
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a life-long pervasive developmental disorder, which is characterized by qualitative impairments in social communication and social interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests (APA, 2013)
STUDY ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FAMILY COHESION AND ADAPTABILITY, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH ASD Xianmei Lei social cues and facial expressions, issues expressing emotions in conventionally recognizable ways, inflexibility and discomfort with change, and difficulty adapting to new tasks and routine (Wehman et al, 2012), which means family members are stressed with long-term caring and may experience difficulty participating in their own daily activities and social activities (Lin et al, 2011), displaying a variety of psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and pessimism (Gau et al, 2012)
Studies showed that factors such as family functioning (Baker et al, 2011) and quality of family life (Guan et al, 2015) would help family members cope with the challenges
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a life-long pervasive developmental disorder, which is characterized by qualitative impairments in social communication and social interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors or interests (APA, 2013). According to Center for Disease Control (CDC) in America, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder was 1 in 59 school-aged children. The rise in prevalence rates implies that an increasing number of families are being faced with the challenges that accompany the diagnosis of ASD (Ekas et al, 2016). Families play an irreplaceable role in educating children with ASD. They are often the earliest discoverer of the abnormal behavior of their children, and have to take responsibilities to get available interventions for their children.
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