The hidden patients: Fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Background There has been a noticeable upsurge of scholarly writing and policy interest in the quality of life (QoL) of fathers raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there remains a scarcity of studies investigating the complex role of the psychological and sociodemographic characteristics of those fathers in shaping their QoL. This study intended to develop the necessary understanding of the characteristics of fathers of children with ASD that can potentially predict their QoL.

Methods Cross-sectional data collected from 101 fathers through self-administered questionnaires were utilised. Standard simultaneous regression was used for modelling the relationship between QoL as a dependent variable and 7 independent variables (parental distress, parent–child dysfunctional interaction, difficult child characteristics, fathers’ level of education, family income, child's gender, and child's age).

Results Family income, child's age, and parent–child dysfunctional interaction were not significant predictors for the QoL of fathers of children with ASD. However, the remainder of the variables added significantly to the explained variance of QoL.

Conclusion The current research-based data can contribute to a better understanding of the QoL of fathers raising children with ASD. It may assist health policymakers to design support programs that holistically consider the psychological health and socioeconomic backgrounds of fathers of children with ASD to better influence the outcomes of their parenting experience.

Keywords:

• fathers
• quality of life
• autism spectrum disorder
• parenting stress
• parents

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the partial funding for this study provided by the University of Jordan.

Conflicts of interest: None.