# The quality of life of parents of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review

## TL;DR

This systematic review explores the quality of life of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, finding significant challenges linked to employment, income, and access to support.

## Contribution

The study provides the first systematic review of quality of life for caregivers of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia, highlighting key demographic and socioeconomic factors.

## Key findings

- Caregivers with lower income, unemployment, and limited education report poorer quality of life.
- Mothers and caregivers of children with severe disabilities experience the lowest quality of life.
- Physical, social, and environmental domains of quality of life are most affected among caregivers.

## Abstract

The quality of life (QoL) of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia is examined in this systematic review.

Fourteen cross-sectional studies published between 2020 and 2024 are included, encompassing 1,841 caregivers, of whom 60.2% are mothers, 23.1% fathers, and 18.4% other caregivers, caring for 1,460 children with disabilities. QoL is primarily assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF in 10 studies, followed by the SF-36 in two studies and the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale in one study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), and Down syndrome (DS) are the most commonly reported conditions. Negative QoL outcomes are reported in at least one domain in 9 of the 10 WHOQOL-BREF studies. The physical domain is most frequently affected (50% of studies), followed by the social and environmental domains (40% each) and the psychological domain (30%). More than half of caregivers (53.6%) are reported to be unemployed, and poorer QoL is consistently associated with unemployment, lower income, limited education, and restricted access to support services.

Lower QoL is most frequently reported by mothers and by caregivers of children with severe or multiple disabilities, highlighting the need for targeted support interventions.