Mothers of Autistic Children: Is the Burden of Care, Extended Time Spend and Money Constraints, Effecting Their Social Participation?

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between caregiving for autistic children and their mothers' social participation. It also evaluated the effects of three factors; time, finances and stigma attached to the disability upon social participation.  Methods: Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit mothers of autistic children living in Saudi Arabia. A survey was conducted to collect data from 42 mothers of children with autism. Ordinal regression was used to examine the relationship between the social participation of the mothers of autistic children and caregiving and the other factors. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse demographic data.  Results: We found that caregiving for autistic children had a negative relationship with the amount of mothers' social participation (significant at p<0.05). Moreover, social participation was affected negatively by factors such as time, finance and stigma. The most significant amongst them was time followed by financial constraints. Stigma was the least momentous factor.  Conclusions: The social participation of mothers of autistic children in Saudi Arabia is negatively influenced by multidimensional and high care demands. This is further complicated by additional financial pressures, time constraints, and stigma associated with this disabling condition. Provision of a variety of social support programs and training, such as effective time management, adequate coping skills, and counseling services may help in overcoming these obstacles.  This, in turn, may aid not only in improving social participation but also occupational balance, psychological well-being and quality of life of the affected mothers