CAREGIVER BURDEN AND COPING STRATEGIES AS PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER IN OBIO/AKPOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
This study examined burden of care and coping strategies predictors of quality of life among primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder. The study framework was anchored on Maslow (1962) Quality of Life Theory. The study was carried out in selected special need schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and a purposive sampling technique in selecting one hundred and sixteen (116) primary caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD, comprising of 33 (28.4%) males and 83 (71.6) females. Their ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Data were gathered using Uni-dimensional 12-item Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (Ballesteros et al.,2012), 28-item Brief Cope Questionnaire(Carver 1997), and 26-item World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Scale –BRIEF (WHOoL Group 1998). Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple regression to identify significant predictors, while paired t-tests assessed the intervention’s impact. Results revealed that caregiver burden was an independent predictor of quality of life [β = -0.54; t -7.93; p = <0.01]. Coping strategies positively and significantly predicted quality of life among primary caregivers of children with ASD [β = 0.20; t<2.92; p=<0.01].The findings were discussed in line with empirical studies reviewed in the study. It was recommended that caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder should be educated on how to manage their burden of care and improve their coping strategies in order to improve their quality of life.
Keywords: Primary caregivers, autism spectrum disorder, caregiver burden, coping strategies, quality of life.
