Quality of life and parental stress related to executive functioning, sensory processing, and activities of daily living in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract

The quality of life (QoL) of families caring for children with neurodevelopmental disorders is influenced by the severity of the disorder, family support, and access to specialized services. Parental stress also affects family dynamics and QoL due to the additional demands of care, particularly focusing on the management of activities of daily living (ADLs). This study aimed to analyze the relationship between parents’ QoL and stress, involving 46 parents of children aged 3 to 12 years with neurodevelopmental disorders, while also examining the relationship with the performance in ADLs, sensory processing, and executive functioning of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Significant positive associations were found between factor 1 of the “Assessment of Sensory Processing and Executive Functions in Childhood” (EPYFEI) with perceived stress (r = 0.401, p ≤ 0.01), and parents physical component summary (PCS) (r = 0.330, p ≤ 0.05). Significant negative correlations were observed between ADL performance and parents’ physical component summary (PCS) of SF-12 (r = − 0.356, p ≤ 0.05). Conversely, a significant negative association was found between factors 1 and 4 of the EPYFEI and ADL performance (r = − 0.392, p ≤ 0.01 and r = − 0.660, p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, a significant positive association was found between parents’ perceived stress and the PCS of SF-12 (r = 0.471, p ≤ 0.01), and a negative association between perceived stress and parents’ mental component summary (MCS) (r = − 0.300, p ≤ 0.05). The study revealed that QoL and parental stress are closely linked to functioning in ADLs and executive functioning of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Interventions to strengthen these areas might improve parents’ well-being and QoL. Additionally, it underscores the importance of teaching these parents stress management strategies.