Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (QoL) of caregivers for the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children through evaluation of the socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers of children with ASD and assessment of their health satisfaction.
Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey-based study. The sample size was calculated using the Epi Info CDC software calculator based on the Saudi caregivers of children with ASDs QoL through a sample size of 283 participants. The study was conducted in the Psychiatry clinic in Dr. Suliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data collection was categorized as general characteristics: age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The WHO quality of life-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) Arabic version questionnaire was used through a 25-item questionnaire assessing four domains.
Results: The present study evaluated the QOL in ASD caregivers, comparing the findings within the Middle Eastern and global contexts and suggesting that socioeconomic factors, particularly income level and education, showed relatively consistent associations with caregiver QoL. The present study found no statistically significant differences in WHOQOL-BREF scores by age group, though a descriptive trend toward slightly higher physical health scores.
Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors, particularly income level and education, showed relatively consistent associations with caregiver QoL, while demographic factors such as age and gender tend to demonstrate weaker or less consistent links. Caregiving-specific variables, including caregiver health status, caregiving duration, and social support, also exert meaningful effects across physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL domains.

Key words: Quality of life, caregivers, children, adolescents, autistic spectrum disorder, Saudi Arabia