Development of LsPQM-12 Instrument to Measure Leisure Specific Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life of Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive tool to identify key components of leisure, thereby, examining the relationship between the prevalence of leisure (PLA) and psychological wellbeing (PWB); and its overall effect on the quality of life (QOL) of mothers of children with Autism-Spectrum-Disorder (ASD) with the demanding care of the child with autism.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional design with interpretivism and an inductive approach a sample of 140 mothers of children with ASD, in India was used to develop this instrument. Structural equation modeling (SEM), partial least squares structural equation modelling (PL-SEM), and chi-square were used to analyze the scale items. Research data was interpreted by exploratory factor analysis and Confirmative factor analysis. Reliability was explored through split-half and internal consistency estimation using Cronbach's alpha.

Finding/Result:  The comprehensive outcome of quality of life (QOL) is measured as the result of engaging in the leisure of individual choice for self-replenishment, social connectedness, and happiness in life despite the demanding care of the child with autism. The overall unidimensional reliability with Cronbach’s alpha value of the scale is 0.656 having reasonably strong reliability. The construct-wise reliability demonstrated between 0.654 and 0.840 showing a high-reliability level. The validity of the instrument was established by face, content, construct, convergent, and discriminant validity tests. Most importantly the measurement model of the LsPQM-12 instrument has shown 0.935 CFI, 0.097 RMSEA, and 0.053 SRMR.

Originality/Value: Leisure-specific quality of life of mothers of children with ASD as an outcome of acknowledgment of prevalence of leisure as well as the absence of leisure made possible by the development of this instrument. Thereby integrating daily leisure of short duration despite the demanding care of the child, towards the psychological wellbeing of the mother was the sequel of this study. Appraisal of time of mother’s leisure schedules in parallel with the child’s therapeutic interventions to raise overall QOL is the objective of the study.

Paper Type: Case study-based analysis.