Factors associated with quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Abstract

In order to update the status of the research on quality of life (QoL) of adults with ASD, a systematic review was carried out following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-Analyses’ (PRISMA) protocol. Eleven articles were selected from different databases. Results show lower levels of QoL in people with ASD than in the general population, informing of the need to adapt the concept of QoL to the reality of ASD and to question the measures used to date to assess this variable. Recent research has been found inconclusive and methodologically weak. Variables such as comorbid psychopathologies, limitations in self-determination, or executive dysfunction were highlighted as factors that negatively affect QoL, and they must be considered and introduced in daily interventions in order to ensure an adequate QoL.