Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder in rural areas: A literature review of mental health and social support

Problem: Caregivers of children with AutismSpectrumDisorder (ASD) report high levels of stress, social isolation, and poormental health. Social and emotional supportmay buffer negative effects of stress for caregivers of children with ASD, however, those living in rural areas may be disadvantaged due to social isolation and increased distance from resources. This scoping review examined the literature regarding the mental health and impact of support for rural caregivers of children with ASD. Eligibility criteria: Articles were limited to those available in the English language and conducted in a high income country. Articles had to include a population of rural caregivers of children with ASD and focus on caregiver mental health and/or the impact of support on caregiver mental health. Sample: Searches were conducted with Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, ERIC, and PsycINFO and 22 articles were included. Results: Study findings indicate overall poor mental health for rural caregivers of children with ASD. Formal and informal support appear to be beneficial in decreasing stress for rural caregivers of childrenwith ASD. However, a few studies indicated that formal support may add stress to rural caregivers. Conclusion: There is limited information regarding support needs and the impact of support services on the mental health of rural caregivers of children with ASD. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Inc.