Functional outcome in late adolescence/early adulthood of patients with autism spectrum disorder and its relationships with parental burnout and depression: A preliminary multi-center, cross-sectional study

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 9; no. 10; p. e20766
• Main Authors: Kutuk, Meryem Ozlem, Tufan, Ali Evren, Kilicaslan, Fethiye, Vural, Pınar, Gokcen, Cem, Alsen Guney, Sevay, Kutuk, Bahtim, Ozyurt, Gonca, Inal, Neslihan, Mutluer, Tuba, Acikalin, Eren Yavuz, Ozer, Fadime Hande, Pamuk, Esma Nur, Yesilmese, Seyma Celikcan, Karadag, Mehmet, Hangul, Zehra, Bilginer, Cilem, Sahin, Nilfer, Bilac, Oznur, Kandemir, Hasan, Ercan, Eyup Sabri, Eseroglu Soylemez, Tugba, Acikel, Sadettin Burak, Guler Aksu, Gulen, Dag, Pelin, Toros, Fevziye, Mutlu, Caner, Kardas, Omer, Kardas, Burcu, Kizildag, Suleyman, Demirci, Esra, Ozmen, Sevgi, Sevicin, Leyla, Karagoz, Yuksel Sumeyra, Isik, Umit, Aktepe, Evrim, Altun, Hatice, Yektas, Çigdem, Polat Tuysuz, Berna, Buber, Ahmet, Cansiz, Mehmet Akif, Ogutlu, Hakan, Eray, Safak, Taner, Hande Ayraler, Altintas, Ebru, Kutuk, Ozgur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adulthood; ASD; Autism; Burnout; Parents; Autism; ASD; Burnout; Adulthood; Parents
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20766

The aim of this study is to determine the functioning of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) diagnosed in childhood and depression and burnout levels among their parents. A total of 261 adults with ASDs and their parents were recruited for the study. Both parents completed the Beck Depression and Maslach Burnout Inventories and reported the functioning of their adult offspring with ASDs. Only 5.4 % of our sample reported “good” or “very good” outcomes. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were intellectual disabilities and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Maternal burnout and depression scores were significantly elevated compared to those of fathers. There is an undeniable urgent need for more research to identify the needs of adults and families suffering from ASD. Modifications for those with ASD may have to be made for support in workplaces, achieving driving licenses, using public transportation and attendance at tertiary education.