The role of family quality of life in the caregivers of autistic adolescents receiving treatment for daily living skills

TL;DR

This study explores how a daily living skills intervention affects the quality of life for families of autistic adolescents.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that a DLS intervention improves family quality of life and links emotional well-being to treatment gains.

Findings

Caregivers showed significant improvements in Family Interaction and Parenting subscales after the STRW intervention.

Higher Emotional Well-Being at baseline predicted greater improvements in daily living skills.

The STRW intervention is associated with overall improvements in Family Quality of Life.

Abstract

Adolescence may be a particularly challenging time for autistic teens and their caregivers. Thus, the current study sought to better understand Family Quality of Life (FQOL) in this population. Further, given the impact that daily living skills (DLS) have on the family system, the current study examined whether a DLS intervention impacted FQOL. Fifty-eight adolescents with autism and their caregivers completed the Surviving and Thriving in the Real World (STRW) intervention and caregivers reported on their FQOL using the Beach Center Family Quality of Life (FQOL Scale). Results revealed that caregivers who participated in the STRW intervention endorsed significant positive changes on the Family Interaction (p = .02) and Parenting (p = .03) subscales and Overall FQOL (p = .02) from baseline to post-treatment. Further, higher Emotional Well-Being at baseline was the only FQOL variable that was related to increased changes in DLS from baseline to post-treatment (r = .29, p = 03). Results suggest that completion of the STRW intervention relates to significant positive changes in FQOL. Further, results suggest that targeting aspects of FQOL, such as emotional well-being, may lead to improved treatment gains in autistic teens.