Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Quality of Life and Spiritual Requirements in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of quality of life and spiritual needs of caregivers of children with “Autism Spectrum Disorder”, and to examine the relationship between the two variables and the sociodemographic characteristics that may influence the variables. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. The population of the study consisted of caregivers (n=230) of autistic children registered in two public rehabilitation centers. 187 caregivers were reached using the convenience sampling method. The data were collected online via "Google Forms" from September 30, 2021, to August 30, 2022. The data collected using the "Sociodemographic Data Form," "Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire-Parent Version," and "Spirituality Scale" were evaluated with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and correlation analysis. Post-hoc Bonferroni correction was applied (p < 0.05). Results: The quality of life of caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder was above average, and their levels of spirituality were high. The relationship between the quality of life and spirituality levels of caregivers was weak. Quality of life scores varied based on age, gender, educational status, occupation, income level, proximity to the autistic child, chronic disease status, and age of the autistic child. Spirituality scores varied based on the gender of the caregiver and their level of closeness to the autistic child. Conclusions: As a result, spirituality scores measured during the pandemic are high and quality of life is at a level that can be improved. Sociodemographic variables of caregivers may cause differences in quality of life and spirituality scores.