31 ธ.ค. 2564

Thai Pharmaceutical and Health Science Journal

16

324-331

คณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ

Abstract Objective: To examine family quality of life and burden of family caregivers of children with autism, and determine relationships between the family quality of life and burden. Methods: A descriptive correlational study was conducted at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of the National Hospital of Pediatrics located in Hanoi, Vietnam. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 50 family caregivers of children with autism. Research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale and the Modified Caregiver Strain Index. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. Results: The family caregivers perceived a low level of the overall family quality of life (M = 1.52, S.D. = 0.22), and a high burden level (M = 3.81, S.D. = 0.32). There is a significant negative correlation between the total score of family quality of life and caregiver burden, therefore, the lower the family quality of life, the higher caregiver burden. Furthermore, there were negative relationships between their subscales of family interaction, parenting, emotional wellbeing and caregiver burden. Conclusion: Nurses and health care providers responsible for family and children with autism should pay more attention to establish a multi-disciplinary care team and provide more family support to increase family quality of life and thereby reduce family caregiver burden. Consequently, positive outcomes for children with autism would also be achieved.

http://ejournals.swu.ac.th/index.php/pharm/article/view/14125/11459