Multidisciplinary Parent Education for Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

This quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary parent education program focused on improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study included 42 participants (22 intervention, 20 wait-list control) who were the main caregivers of children with ASD. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. At the end of the multidisciplinary parent education program, significant improvements were observed in the mental HRQOL, family functioning, self-efficacy and positive coping style. The results indicate that a multidisciplinary parent education program, designed for caregivers of children with ASD, may have positive effects on caregivers' mental health-related quality of life, while having little effect on their physical health-related quality of life. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.