Development and Psychometric Evaluation of a Psychosocial Quality ofLife Questionnaire for Individuals with Autism and Related DevelopmentalDisorders

摘要

The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Child and Family Quality of Life (CFQL) scale, a measure of psychosocial quality of life (QoL) in those with autism and related developmental disorders. Parents of 212 children suspected of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) completed the CFQL prior to a diagnostic evaluation. Results indicated that the CFQL measured six unique QoL constructs (child, family/caregiver, financial, external support, partner relationship, and coping), had good reliability across score ranges, and exhibited expected patterns of convergent validity. Caregivers of ASD-affected children reported reduced family QoL prior to the time of diagnosis relative to caregivers of children with other developmental disabilities. The CFQL is a brief, reliable measure for assessing psychosocial QoL in families affected by developmental disability. The present study is the first to demonstrate impairments in family QoL early in the developmental course of ASD, prior to formal diagnosis. In addition to traditional child-focused intervention strategies, families with ASD-affected children require early, broad intervention strategies that positively impact the whole family.