RT Journal Article
T1 Health-related behaviors and family quality of life in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis
A1 Garrido, Dunia
A1 Gómez-Pérez, M. Mar
A1 Petrova, Dafina
A1 Catena, Andres
A1 Garcia-Retamero, Rocio
K1 Autismo
K1 Hábitos de salud
K1 Ejercicio físico - Aspectos psicológicos
AB Health-related behaviors —including sleep quality, physical-activity level, screen time, and mealtime behavior —, are often disrupted in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and may be associated with a lower family quality of life (FQoL). This systematic review and metaanalysis evaluated these associations, recognizing the central role that daily health habits may play in shaping FQoL. A registered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42023408500) guided a comprehensive search across seven electronic databases and grey literature sources, yielding 12 eligible studies that included 6373 families of children with ASD who were evaluated on healthrelated behaviors and FQoL. Publication bias was assessed. Moderate correlations were found between FQoL and sleep problems (k = 6, r = .36, p < .001), and moderate positive correlations with screen-time (k = 3, r = .34, p < .05). Physical activity showed no significant pooled association with FQoL (k = 4, r = .14, p = .49) despite substantial heterogeneity. Mealtime behavior showed a negative association in a single study (k = 1, r = 􀀀 0.25). Future research should clarify the directionality of these associations and examine how multiple health-related behaviors may interact to influence FQoL. Targeted interventions addressing specific healthrelated behaviors could enhance existing approaches for improving FQoL in families of children with ASD.
PB Elsevier
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45827
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45827
LA eng
NO Garrido, D., Gómez-Pérez, M. M., Petrova, D., Catena, A., & Garcia-Retamero, R. (2026). Health-related behaviors and family quality of life in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research in Autism, 132, 202876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2026.202876.
NO Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transfer of the University of Granada (Spain)
NO Juan de la Cierva Fellowship by MICIU/AEI
NO Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
NO Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transfer of the University of Granada / Program of Precompetitive Research Projects for Young Researchers (PIPJIA2022/42)
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 2 mar 2026