Quality of life disparities among mothers of autistic children and mothers having normal children in Baghdad city-2024

Background: Raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is well known to have a long-term negative impact on parents' quality of life (QOL). However, there is limited evidence about the QOL for parents of autistic children in Iraq. Objectives were to assess the overall QOL, general health, and the QOL domains (physical, social, psychological, and environmental) among mothers of autistic children as compared to mothers of normal children. Methods: Respondents in this comparative cross-sectional study were mothers of children with ASD and mothers of normal children who visited the consultation clinics of the pediatric welfare teaching hospital-medical City/Baghdad-Iraq and the consultation clinic of the national center for autism. A WHO-validated questionnaire was used. Results: The study involved five hundred forty mothers from both groups (two hundred seventy for each one). Mothers of autistic children reported significantly poorer general QOL (35.9% vs. 24.8%, p=0.01) and general health (18.2% vs. 8.1%, p=0.001) compared to mothers of normal children. Substantial disparities and significant differences with poorer physical (24% vs. 15.92%, p=0.01) and psychological well-being (22.96% vs. 18.14%, p=0.03) were observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Given the importance of QOL for mothers and its impact on their general health and family dynamics, it is essential to establish programs that promote better resolution in this risk group.