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Background <p>Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience significant emotional, social, and psychological strain. Psychological resilience—the ability to adapt positively despite adversity—plays a crucial role in buffering the effects of chronic caregiving stress. This study aimed to assess psychological resilience levels among caregivers of children with ASD in Iraq and identify associated sociodemographic and contextual factors.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probability convenience sample of 140 caregivers attending the Thi-Qar Rehabilitation Center for Children with ASD in southern Iraq between Jully 2024 and February 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included a sociodemographic sheet, caregiving characteristics, and an Arabic-adapted resilience scale. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine associations between resilience categories and caregiver/child variables. The response rate was 93.3%. This study was based on convenience sampling from a single rehabilitation center, which may have excluded caregivers not engaged with formal services due to stigma or access barriers. The absence of low-resilience cases might reflect sampling bias.</p> Results <p>Among 140 respondents, 45.7% demonstrated high resilience, while 54.3% had moderate resilience; none showed low resilience. Most caregivers were mothers (85.7%) and females (90%). Significant associations were found between high resilience and caregiver income (p &lt; 0.001), employment status (p = 0.003), living in private housing (p = 0.002), and lower household crowding index (p = 0.009). Additionally, resilience was higher among caregivers of younger children (≤ 6 years) and female children. Maladaptive coping strategies were reported in 55.5% of caregivers.</p> Conclusion <p>Resilience among caregivers of children with ASD in Iraq is shaped by sociodemographic and environmental factors. Strengthening mental health support, improving living conditions, and fostering culturally sensitive caregiver interventions can enhance caregiver well-being and improve family outcomes.</p>

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Psychological Resilience in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern Iraq

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月7日

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  • Zahraa Mahdi Abd Ali,
  • Zainalabideen Yasser Jumaa,
  • Asmaa Nasser Hussein,
  • Taliaa Mohsen Al-Yafeai,
  • Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi,
  • Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz Khalil,
  • Ahmed Dahshan

摘要

Background

Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience significant emotional, social, and psychological strain. Psychological resilience—the ability to adapt positively despite adversity—plays a crucial role in buffering the effects of chronic caregiving stress. This study aimed to assess psychological resilience levels among caregivers of children with ASD in Iraq and identify associated sociodemographic and contextual factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probability convenience sample of 140 caregivers attending the Thi-Qar Rehabilitation Center for Children with ASD in southern Iraq between Jully 2024 and February 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included a sociodemographic sheet, caregiving characteristics, and an Arabic-adapted resilience scale. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine associations between resilience categories and caregiver/child variables. The response rate was 93.3%. This study was based on convenience sampling from a single rehabilitation center, which may have excluded caregivers not engaged with formal services due to stigma or access barriers. The absence of low-resilience cases might reflect sampling bias.

Results

Among 140 respondents, 45.7% demonstrated high resilience, while 54.3% had moderate resilience; none showed low resilience. Most caregivers were mothers (85.7%) and females (90%). Significant associations were found between high resilience and caregiver income (p < 0.001), employment status (p = 0.003), living in private housing (p = 0.002), and lower household crowding index (p = 0.009). Additionally, resilience was higher among caregivers of younger children (≤ 6 years) and female children. Maladaptive coping strategies were reported in 55.5% of caregivers.

Conclusion

Resilience among caregivers of children with ASD in Iraq is shaped by sociodemographic and environmental factors. Strengthening mental health support, improving living conditions, and fostering culturally sensitive caregiver interventions can enhance caregiver well-being and improve family outcomes.