QUALITY OF LIFE OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN ARAB COUNTRIES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Back to Page Authors: Jamal M. S. Alkhateeb

Keywords: Arab Countries, Autism spectrum disorder, Quality of life, Parent

Abstract: Previous research has shown that parenting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a considerable impact upon parental quality of life (QOL). No systematic reviews could be identified in the literature that address the impact of ASD on parental QOL in Arab countries. In an attempt to help fill this gap, this systematic review will be undertaken. An electronic literature search of studies investigating QOL of parents of children with ASD in Arab countries will be carried out using several databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, ERIC, and PsychInfo) were searched using the following keywords: ASD, QOL, parent, wellbeing, autism, and Arab countries. Reference lists at the end of articles located will also be viewed in order to find additional articles. Studies will be included if: (a) they are papers published in peer-reviewed journals; (b) address QOL of parents of children with ASD in an Arab country, (c) a full text or a detailed abstract of it is available, (d) reported original empirical research, and (e) published in English or in Arabic with detailed abstracts in English. After the relevant publications are identified, the researchers will review and extract the data from these studies independently. Each study will be examined for details such as authors, title of research, publication year, country, purpose, methods, and main findings. When in doubt about whether a study meets the inclusion criteria, the researchers will discuss it and reach a consensus. Disagreements between the two researchers will resolved by a consensus-based discussion. The findings of the current review will be discussed, and its limitations will be presented.