The pattern of Structural Relationships of Quality of Life based on Health-Promoting Lifestyle with the Mediation of Helplessness Tolerance in Mothers with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student in psychology and education of exceptional children, Faculty of Human Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the pattern of structural relationships of quality of life based on a health-promoting lifestyle with the mediation of helplessness tolerance in mothers with children with autism spectrum disorder.
Methods: The research method was descriptive and correlation-based on structural equations. The statistical population was all the mothers of children with autism in Bushehr who enrolled their children in exceptional schools and also had a case in the Bushehr Autism Association in 2023. From this community, a sample of 200 people was selected by available sampling method and completed the questionnaires on quality of life, health-promoting lifestyle, and tolerance of helplessness. SPSS25 and SmartPLS3 were used to analyze the collected data.
Results: The results of the structural equations showed that the health-promoting lifestyle (p<0.005; β=0.24) has a direct and positive effect on the quality of life and a direct and positive effect on tolerance of helplessness (p<0.005; β=0). Also, the health-promoting lifestyle (p<0.005; β=0.18) has a significant effect on the quality of life through the mediation of helplessness tolerance (P=0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of this study can provide evidence for the development of appropriate intervention programs to increase the quality of life among mothers of children with autism through specific health-promoting behaviors.

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