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Subjective Quality of Life for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Croatia

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An Erratum to this article was published on 28 July 2010

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subjective quality of life (SQoL) of parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who are primary carers. The study included 346 parents: 177 parents of children with ASD and 169 parents of non-disabled children comprised the control group. The Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) was used to assess SQoL. Parents’ general health perception was assessed with a single question scored on a scale from 1 (poor health) to 5 (excellent health). Parents of children with ASD reported a significantly lower SQoL and general health perception with more physiological symptoms as compared to parents of non-disabled children. In Croatia parents of children with ASD, as primary caregivers, is an especially vulnerable part of the population and need increased social support and assistance in order to achieve and maintain the well-being of the whole family.

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Abbreviations

SQoL:

Subjective Quality of life

ASD:

Autism spectrum disorders

PWI:

Personal Wellbeing Index

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Acknowledgment

This work was conducted within The National Strategy of Equalization of Possibilities for Persons with disabilities for 2007–2015. The authors specially thanks Ministry of Family, Veterans’ Affairs and Intergenerational Solidarity, employees of Autism Center Zagreb, employees in primary schools around Croatia and all the parents whose support this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Croatian Public Health Institute, Rockefellerova 7, 10 000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Tomislav Benjak

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  1. Tomislav Benjak
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Correspondence to Tomislav Benjak.

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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11482-010-9120-8

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Benjak, T. Subjective Quality of Life for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Croatia. Applied Research Quality Life 6, 91–102 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-010-9114-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-010-9114-6

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