PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Almansour, Mohammed A.
AU  - Alateeq, Mohammed A.
AU  - Alzahrani, Mansour K.
AU  - Algeffari, Metab A.
AU  - Alhomaidan, Homaidan T.
TI  - Depression and anxiety among parents and caregivers of autistic spectral disorder children
DP  - 2013 Jan 01
TA  - Neurosciences Journal
PG  - 58--63
VI  - 18
IP  - 1
4099  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/18/1/58.short
4100  - http://nsj.org.sa/content/18/1/58.full
SO  - Neurosciences (Riyadh)2013 Jan 01; 18
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of depression and anxiety in parents/caregivers of autistic spectral disorder (ASD) children, and to identify associated factors.METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study carried out between July and December 2011, parents/caregivers of at least one child diagnosed with an ASD (cases group), were recruited through the Saudi Charitable Society of Autism Families and the Autism Clinic in the Pediatric out-patient clinic in King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The parents/caregivers of a normally developed child (control group) were recruited from the Well Child Clinic at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. We used a self-reported questionnaire containing questions on demographic data, as well as the Arabic version of the hospital anxiety and depression scale.RESULTS: The study included 100 parents/caregivers, 50 cases and 50 controls. More than 50% of the control group was in the age group 26-30 years (56%), while 42% of cases were in the age group 31-35 years. Time lapsed since autism diagnosis was over 3 years in one-third of cases. Twenty-two percent of cases, and only 2% of control parents/caregivers had a history of psychiatric problems (p=0.002). Both the mean depression score, and the mean anxiety score was significantly higher among cases when compared with controls, p<0.001.CONCLUSION: Autism is associated with burden and stress for parents/caregivers of the affected child. The demands placed by the disability contribute to a higher overall incidence of depression and anxiety among parents/caregivers.