The quality of life of parents of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia: a systematic review.

Introduction: The quality of life (QoL) of parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in Saudi Arabia is examined in this systematic review. Methods: Fourteen cross-sectional studies published between 2020 and 2024 are included, encompassing 1,841 caregivers, of whom 60.2% are mothers, 23.1% fathers, and 18.4% other caregivers, caring for 1,460 children with disabilities. QoL is primarily assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF in 10 studies, followed by the SF-36 in two studies and the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale in one study. Results: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy (CP), and Down syndrome (DS) are the most commonly reported conditions. Negative QoL outcomes are reported in at least one domain in 9 of the 10 WHOQOL-BREF studies. The physical domain is most frequently affected (50% of studies), followed by the social and environmental domains (40% each) and the psychological domain (30%). More than half of caregivers (53.6%) are reported to be unemployed, and poorer QoL is consistently associated with unemployment, lower income, limited education, and restricted access to support services. Conclusion: Lower QoL is most frequently reported by mothers and by caregivers of children with severe or multiple disabilities, highlighting the need for targeted support interventions.