Quality of Life and Mental Health in Families of Children With Developmental Disabilities During Wartime

Objective: Children with developmental disabilities (DD) tend to be disproportionately affected by disasters, including war, which can result in a pervasive loss of personal and social resources. While existing research has primarily focused on individual resource loss following such events, limited attention has been given to the broader impact on families caring for children with DD. This study aims to assess the family quality of life (FQoL) and mental health of parents of children with DD during wartime. Method: We conducted an online survey, including closed and open-ended questions, and used mixed methods to analyze the responses. A sample of 408 parents completed questionnaires regarding their FQoL attainment and mental health before and during wartime. Results: A decline in mental health and FQoL attainment was observed across all life domains during wartime among caregivers of children with DD. The functioning of educational frameworks and familial sociodemographic characteristics contributed directly and indirectly to FQoL attainment during wartime. The qualitative analyses revealed a complementary picture through caregivers’ insights into the contexts and elements underlying the quantitative findings. Conclusion: Caregivers of children with DD face significant adverse effects on their mental health and FQoL during wartime. These findings are discussed in the context of resource availability as a critical determinant of quality of life for families raising children with disabilities in a home environment during wartime.