Effectiveness of support programs for caregivers of children with ASD : A systematic literature review

Abstract: Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience unique challenges while fulfilling their long-term responsibilities and often experience and report higher levels of stress and a decrement in well-being compared to other caregivers. By using four databases (EBSCO, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science), a systematic literature review was conducted on interven- tions to improve these aspects among caregivers. The selection process was limited to articles writ- ten in either English or Spanish, peer-reviewed studies, published between 2011 and 2022, and em- pirical data studies. Seven articles that conducted different interventions met the inclusion criteria and were used to analyze the conducted interventions, together with the reported outcomes. Results show a variety of interventions, differences in length, and used approaches. Regarding the outcomes, support programs were found to be effective when reducing stress and improving the well-being of the studied population; however, there is not enough evidence to conclude their long-lasting effects. Future suggestions include studying larger and more representative samples assessing the interven- tion ́s long-term effects.