Research Article

Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden

Volume: 13 Number: 1 April 30, 2026
TR EN

Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to examine the continuity of individuals with autism participating in occupational therapy programs and the relationship with their caregivers’ family quality of life, psychological resilience, parental self-efficacy, and caregiving burden. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study consisted of caregivers of 60 children with autism aged between 3 and 10 years. To assess participation in the occupational therapy program, caregivers were administered the Occupational Therapy Program Attendance/Non-attendance Interview Form. For evaluating caregivers’ family quality of life, the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (BCQ) was used; psychological resilience was assessed via the Resilience Scale for Adults (RS); parental self-efficacy was measured with Parental Self-Efficacy Scale for Children with Disabilities; and caregiving burden was evaluated using the Zarit Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (Z-PSE). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The children's average age was 5.8 ± 1.6, with 58.3% (n=35) diagnosed with autism and 41.7% (n=25) with atypical autism. Statistically significant differences were observed between caregivers who selected “I experience time constraints” as a reason for non-attendance and those who did not, in the following scales: BCQ (p=0.003), RS (p=0.019), Z-PSE (p=0.01), CBS (p=0.003) Discussion and Conclusion: The findings reveal that time management difficulties among caregivers are significant determinants of family quality of life, psychological resilience, parental self-efficacy, and caregiving burden, compared to caregivers not experiencing such difficulties. Future studies should investigate the effects of time management training through follow-up periods to assess its impact comprehensively.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received from any institution, organization, or individual for this study.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee of Biruni University (Approval No: 2022/68-32).

Thanks

We extend our sincere gratitude to all parents who voluntarily participated in the research process.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Occupational Therapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 30, 2026

Submission Date

July 25, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 1

APA
Vardar, E., & Tatlı, İ. Y. (2026). Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, 13(1), 16-33. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1750210
AMA
1.Vardar E, Tatlı İY. Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden. HUFHSJ. 2026;13(1):16-33. doi:10.21020/husbfd.1750210
Chicago
Vardar, Elif, and İbrahim Yavuz Tatlı. 2026. “Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 13 (1): 16-33. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1750210.
EndNote
Vardar E, Tatlı İY (April 1, 2026) Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 13 1 16–33.
IEEE
[1]E. Vardar and İ. Y. Tatlı, “Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden”, HUFHSJ, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 16–33, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.21020/husbfd.1750210.
ISNAD
Vardar, Elif - Tatlı, İbrahim Yavuz. “Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 13/1 (April 1, 2026): 16-33. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1750210.
JAMA
1.Vardar E, Tatlı İY. Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden. HUFHSJ. 2026;13:16–33.
MLA
Vardar, Elif, and İbrahim Yavuz Tatlı. “Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, vol. 13, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 16-33, doi:10.21020/husbfd.1750210.
Vancouver
1.Elif Vardar, İbrahim Yavuz Tatlı. Effects of Occupational Therapy Participation in Autism and Parental Family Quality of Life, Psychological Resilience, Self-Efficacy, and Caregiving Burden. HUFHSJ. 2026 Apr. 1;13(1):16-33. doi:10.21020/husbfd.1750210