The correlativity between quality of life and coping style in the autistic children' s parents

Abstract

Objective To explore quality of life and coping style of autistic children' s parents, and correlation between them. Methods 68 parents of children with autism and 64 healthy children' s parents were tested with comprehensive assessment questionnaire of the quality of life and coping style questionnaire. Data were analyzed by t -test and multivariate regression analysis. Results The scores of material life and mental health dimensions study group(48.18 ± 12.80,60.63 ± 10.18 ) were lower than that control group(52.71±9.84,65.79±8.64) and the difference was significant( t= -2.04, P＜0.05; t= -3.09, P＜0.01 ). The scores of coping style study group were slower than control group; the scores of and coping style study group were higher than that control group. By multivariate regression analysis showed that the scores of coping style were positively correlated with total score of life quality,physical health,mental health and social function dimensions; the scores of coping style had negative correlation with the total score of life quality; the scores of wincing coping style had negative correlation with mental health dimension. Conclusion Parents of autistic children were more susceptible to problems of physical life and mental health. Compared to parents of normal children they are more fantasy and wineing style and less in problem solving style to cope with stress, so it would affect the quality of life and mental health badly and need early intervention. Key words: Autisms; Parents; Quality of life; Coping style