Association Between Socioeconomic Status and Quality of Life of Parents of Children With ASD: A Correlation Study

Background: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face emotional, psychological, and financial challenges. The socioeconomic status (SES) of these parents can significantly impact their quality of life, affecting stress levels, mental health, and access to resources. Lower SES may increase difficulties in managing caregiving responsibilities, potentially reducing parents' overall well-being. This study explores the correlation between SES and the quality of life of parents of children with ASD. Study Design: A Correlational study. Aim: To evaluate the association between socioeconomic and Quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Objective: To assess socioeconomic status of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. To evaluate Quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. To find a relation between socioeconomic status and Quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants: The study included 126 children with autism spectrum disorder as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Methods: This study uses a correlational design to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status and the quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, aged 2 to 6 years. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between socioeconomic status and the quality of life of parents of children with ASD across all domains. Higher SES was positively associated with better physical health (r = 0.581, p < 0.001), improved psychological well-being (r = 0.521, p < 0.001), stronger social relationships (r = 0.428, p < 0.001), and a more favorable living environment (r = 0.430, p < 0.001). These findings emphasize the critical role of socioeconomic factors in shaping the overall quality of life for this population. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a strong positive relationship between socioeconomic status and the quality of life of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Higher socioeconomic status is significantly correlated with better physical health, greater psychological well-being, stronger social relationships, and a more favorable living environment, as reflected in the WHOQOL domain scores.