Impact of Caregiver Burden on Quality of Life and Psychiatric Symptoms in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine caregiver burden and its relationships with quality of life (QoL), depressive symptoms, and anxiety among mothers who were primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Method: This cross-sectional study included mothers of 60 children aged 4–10 years with ASD who were followed at a tertiary care Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic. Autism severity was assessed using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Mothers completed a sociodemographic form, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Group comparisons were conducted by ASD severity. Associations were evaluated with Spearman correlation, and multivariable linear regression models were used to determine independent predictors of QoL domains.
Results: High or very high caregiver burden was observed in 63.3% of mothers, and >80% reported low to moderate QoL across all domains. Caregiver burden correlated positively with depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p=0.025) and was inversely associated with all QoL domains (all p<0.001). Mothers of children with severe ASD had higher caregiver burden than those in the mild–moderate group (p=0.003), whereas depression, anxiety, and QoL did not differ significantly by ASD severity. In multivariable analyses, caregiver burden was the only independent predictor of all QoL domains.
Conclusion: Mothers of children with ASD experience substantial caregiver burden, which is closely linked to poorer QoL and greater depressive and anxiety symptoms. Interventions should incorporate caregiver-focused components to reduce burden and support psychosocial well-being.
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, caregiver burden, quality of life, depression, anxiety
Supporting Institution
This research received no external funding.
Ethical Statement
Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the local institutional ethics committee (Decision No: 2025/243, Decision Date: 04.12.2025). Written informed consent was secured from all participants following a comprehensive description of the study’s aims and methodology.
Thanks
The authors sincerely thank all mothers who participated in this study for their time and valuable contribution.
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