LOSAPIO, Mirella Fiuza    FURTADO, Erikson Felipe. Quality of life in caregivers of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comparative study between sexes. []. , 20, 2, pp.138-154. ISSN 1519-0307.  https://doi.org/10.5935/cadernosdisturbios.v20n2p138-154.

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often presents with social impairments, learning and autonomy difficulties, that directly impact in the family. Consequently, caregivers of children and adolescents with this diagnosis need to deal with higher levels of stress, which lead to low levels of quality of life. There is a description in the literature that girls with ASD are more severe than boys. To evaluate the quality of life of caregivers of children and adolescents with ASD and compare it between caregivers of female and male patients. Semi-structured interviews and the application of the WHOQOL-bref instrument were performed in 62 caregivers of children or adolescents treated at the ASD outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in Ribeirão Preto. Most of the sample consisted of mothers (85%), "non-white" individuals, with complete high school education and family income below 2 minimum wages. There was a predominance of lower quality of life among caregivers of female children and adolescents, compared to male caregivers, but without statistical significance. However, in questions related to socioeconomic conditions, there was an association, with statistical relevance, so that the caregivers of female patients scored with lower scores in this area. This study found no association between quality of life in caregivers and sex of children and adolescents with ASD.

: Autism spectrum disorder; Autistic disorder; Quality of life; Caregivers; Sex.

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