Measuring well-being in autism: translation and validation of the Persian Flanagan’s QoL scale

Purpose Quality of life (QoL) is a crucial aspect of well-being, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who face unique challenges in social participation and daily functioning. This study aims to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Persian version of Flanagan’s Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) for Iranian individuals with ASD, ensuring a reliable and culturally appropriate measure for assessing their well-being. Design/methodology/approach A standard forward-backward translation process was used to adapt the QOLS into Persian. The study recruited 200 Iranian individuals with ASD and their caregivers from clinical and rehabilitation centers in Tehran. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha, test-retest reliability was assessed via the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent validity was tested against the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and discriminant validity was analyzed by comparing QoL scores across different ASD severity levels. Findings The Persian QOLS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (a = 0.92) and high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.89). CFA confirmed the original six-factor structure with strong model fit indices (CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.06). The scale correlated significantly with the WHOQOL-BREF (r = 0.76), and discriminant validity was supported by significant differences in QoL scores based on ASD severity. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations. First, the sample was drawn primarily from urbanized areas of Tehran, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to rural and other underrepresented regions of Iran. Future studies should aim to include a more geographically diverse sample to enhance external validity. Second, QoL assessments were based on caregiver reports, particularly for individuals with limited verbal communication skills. While caregiver input is essential, it introduces the possibility of reporting bias. Future research should incorporate self-report measures where feasible, allowing individuals with ASD to express their own QoL perceptions based on their cognitive and communicative abilities. Originality/value The Persian QOLS is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring QoL in Iranian individuals with ASD. Its strong psychometric properties make it a valuable tool for research, clinical assessment and intervention evaluation.