A comparison of the mental health, quality of life, and general functioning of mothers of young children and adolescents with autism

• Published in: Journal of the Bahrain Medical Society 2018-09, Vol.30 (2), p.17-24
• Main Authors: al-Ansari, Ahmad Mal Allah S., Jahrami, Haytham Ali, Hafiz, Rami Ghazi, Sharif, Isa Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1015-6321
• DOI: 10.26715/jbms.2_18072018

Background and objectives: The impact of caring for a child with autism has been observed among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in western countries, however, there is a scarcity of data in the Arab countries. The study aimed to compare the mental health, quality of life (QOL), and general functioning of mothers of young children and adolescents with autism. Methods: This cross-sectional study, including 60 mothers of children with ASD was conducted in the Child Psychiatry Unit of Psychiatric Hospital, Bahrain. Data regarding the mothers’ demographic characteristics, general health, QOL, and functioning were collected through interviews. The children were consecutively diagnosed and followed-up at the Psychiatric Hospital, Bahrain. The differences between the mothers of young children and the mothers of adolescent children with ASD were compared. Results: The mothers of both the groups reported elevated physical health complaints, mental health symptomatology, and decreased experience of QOL. Mothers of young children with ASD reported depressive symptoms, less physical illness, and fewer comorbidities in the young children with ASD, when compared to mothers of adolescents who reported anxiety symptoms, more physical illness, and better QOL-related psychological wellbeing and environmental factors. Conclusion: The issue of mothers’ health requires attention and should be addressed in the management of children with ASD, especially in clinical practice with interventions specific to the child’s age.