Predicting Quality of Life Based on Parenting Stress and Emotional Self-awareness in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

AuthorAsal Karimien
AuthorRezvan Homaeien
AuthorMarzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtarien
AuthorSaeed Bakhtiarpouren
OrcidAsal Karimi [0009-0007-4902-9428]en
OrcidRezvan Homaei [0000-0002-2014-9641]en
OrcidMarzieh Talebzadeh Shoushtari [0000-0003-2394-3725]en
OrcidSaeed Bakhtiarpour [0000-0001-7398-941X]en
Issued Date2026-04-30en
AbstractBackground: Raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can substantially affect maternal well-being. Therefore, identifying key psychological factors associated with quality of life (QoL), such as parenting stress and emotional self-awareness, is important for better understanding the experiences of these mothers. Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined the associations among parenting stress, emotional self-awareness, and QoL in mothers of children with ASD. Methods: This descriptive correlational study included mothers raising children with ASD in Tehran in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 320 questionnaires were distributed; after excluding 13 incomplete forms, the final analytic sample comprised 307 participants. Data were collected using the short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, the Emotional Self-Awareness Questionnaire, and the Autism Parenting Stress Index. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and simultaneous multiple regression. Results: QoL showed a significant inverse association with parenting stress (r = -0.39, P < 0.01) and a significant positive association with emotional self-awareness (r = 0.32, P < 0.01). The multiple regression model was statistically significant (F = 37.42, P < 0.001) and explained 22.8% of the variance in QoL (R2 = 0.23). Emotional self-awareness (β = 0.30, P < 0.01) and parenting stress (β = -0.25, P < 0.01) were significant predictors in this model. Conclusions: Higher parenting stress was associated with lower QoL, whereas greater emotional self-awareness was associated with higher QoL among mothers of children with ASD. These findings may inform future family-centered support programs and intervention research aimed at reducing stress and enhancing emotional self-awareness.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5812/jhrt-172035en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/jhrt/articles/172035en
KeywordAutism Spectrum Disorderen
KeywordParentingen
KeywordEmotional Intelligenceen
KeywordQuality of Lifeen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitlePredicting Quality of Life Based on Parenting Stress and Emotional Self-awareness in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorderen
TypeResearch Articleen

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