Quality of Life of youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder during their transition to adulthood

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Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Maradiaga González, A., & Calvo Escalona, R. (2021). Quality of Life of youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder during their transition to adulthood. Revista De Psiquiatría Infanto-Juvenil, 38(3), 14–23. https://doi.org/10.31766/revpsij.v38n3a3

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 3 (2021): July-September

Section

Orginial article
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Scopus
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Europe PMC

Authors

  • A. Maradiaga González Hospital Clínico de Barcelona, CIBERSAM, Universitat de Barcelona http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1753-6998
  • R. Calvo Escalona Servicio de Psiquiatría y Psicología Infantil y Juvenil. Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. CIBERSAM. Instituto de Neurociencias, Universitat de Barcelona.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31766/revpsij.v38n3a3

Keywords:

autism, adults, functioning, quality of life, psychopatology

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which persists throughout lifetime. However, there is scarce information on the transition to adult life of ASD patients, and even less data about their quality of life. Methods: Descriptive study of young adults with a diagnosis of ASD transferred from an urban child-adolescent mental health center to the corresponding adult mental health facility, between 2016 and 2019. Only 17 of the 47 eligible subjects were accepted to participate, completing questionnaires of quality of life and psychopathology and answering a semi-structured interview on their performance and general functioning. Results: The participants, with a mean age of 21.59 (2.18 td) years, reported a lower quality of life than that reported in general population samples, especially in psychological health. 70% of all of them presented a comorbid disorder to ASD. In this sample, a poorer quality of life was associated with higher scores for depression. Two thirds of the sample were studying or had already finished higher studies. All of them continue to live with their family of origin and only a minority (11.8%) has had a close relationship or has a job (17.6%). Conclusion: Despite their functional achievements, almost half of the group reports a low quality of life perception. The assessment of quality of life during transition to adult life could contribute to develop specific interventions addressed to improve their satisfaction.

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