Training needs and family quality of life in caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Dominican Republic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i2.860Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Support needs, Family formation, Caregivers, Family quality of life, Dominican Republic, Inclusion.Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) significantly impacts family dynamics in the Dominican Republic. The objective was to analyze the main training and support needs experienced by parents of people with ASD. A quantitative exploratory-descriptive research was carried out with 78 caregivers belonging to ASD associations in the country. A Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Family Quality of Life Scale and the Questionnaire of Formative Needs in Relatives of People with Autism were applied for data collection. Data analysis was performed with SPSS and p < 0.05. Descriptive statistics (mean, SD, frequencies) were calculated and Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis were used to compare medians. Chi-square (χ2) was also applied to evaluate the association between categorical variables. The results revealed that the most critical training needs focus on emotional support, behavior management, and recreational activities (M=3.54), while basic knowledge of ASD was less a priority (M=2.13). 91% of caregivers demanded parental training. Women reported a greater need for behavioral management (p=0.022), and caregivers with mild ASD reported knowledge of the disorder (p=0.016). Significant associations were identified between legal needs and coordination services (p=0.026). The quality of family life did not vary according to the severity of ASD, highlighting common challenges in the Dominican environment. It was concluded that support strategies aimed at these families should prioritize training in socio-emotional skills and access to information resources, ensuring a better family adjustment and well-being in the nation.
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