Symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of life in parents of children with autism during the second wave of the pandemic.

During COVID-19, Brazilian researchers studied mental health in different groups including parents of autistic children. They found that parents of autistic children experienced more depression than other groups and had lower quality of life in all areas measured. These parents also had higher anxiety levels. The pandemic appears to have been particularly challenging for families with autistic children compared to other families.

This Brazilian study examined mental health and quality of life across four parent groups during COVID-19's second wave, including 867 participants recruited via social media in northeastern Brazil. Parents of autistic children showed significantly higher depression scores compared to all other groups (childless adults, parents of children without mental health issues, and parents of children with other mental health conditions). Anxiety scores were significantly elevated in both parents of autistic children and childless adults. Quality of life was consistently lower across all domains for parents of autistic children, with statistically significant differences compared to parents of children without mental health problems.

The study highlights the disproportionate pandemic impact on families affected by autism.

Results suggest parents of autistic children require enhanced mental health support during crises. Healthcare providers should screen for depression and anxiety in these families and consider targeted interventions to improve quality of life during stressful periods like pandemics.

Single cross-sectional study from one Brazilian region limits generalizability. Social media recruitment may introduce selection bias. No baseline pre-pandemic data for comparison. Study type not specified and sample size breakdown across groups not provided.

Local political discord together with isolation and fear marked the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and analyze adult quality of life (QoL) during the pandemic in four groups: "childless", "children without mental problems", "children with autism" and "children with other mental problems." A sample of 867 individuals recruited using social media in northeastern Brazil completed the following instruments: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, Brazilian version), the WHOQOL-Bref, and a sociodemographic form OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The mean score for depression was significantly higher in the "children with autism" group compared to the other groups. The mean anxiety score was significantly higher in the "children with autism" and "childless" groups. Mean QoL scores were lower in the "children with autism" group compared to the other groups for all the domains, with this difference being statistically significant compared with the "children without mental problems" group for all the domains.

Anxiety and depression symptoms were greater and QoL scores were lower in parents of children with autism. All groups benefitted from logistic support during the pandemic, whereas having to care for others negatively impacted QoL.