Unveiling the Journey: Understanding the Experience of Parents of Children with Autism across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Few studies have examined the experiences of Middle Eastern parents of children with autism. This study aimed to document the mental health of parents of children with autism* in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and to understand its association with indicators of parental well-being. One hundred thirty-three parents across six cities located within the KRI were recruited. A structured interview guided by standardized rating scales evaluating parenting stress, parent mental health, parental satisfaction, and number and types of supports available to the parents. Data were analyzed by conducting bivariate relationships and structural equation modeling. Overall, findings indicated parents reported poor overall mental health, with high levels of anxiety and stress. Further, parents reported low parental satisfaction, with mothers experiencing slightly poorer outcomes. The findings identify several unique differences between Kurdish families in the current study and past research conducted with culturally similar communities. Implications for educational and mental healthcare professionals as well as recommendations for future research are provided.