Family care arrangements and financial well-being: an empirical study on families of children with autism spectrum disorders from China

Objectives: This study examines the relationship between family care arrangements and financial well-being in families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in China, a topic with limited prior research. Methods: A 2019 survey of Chinese families (N = 2,881) with children with ASD was used to employ hierarchical regression analysis to explore how various caregiving roles (e.g. fathers, mothers, and grandparents) impact financial well-being. Results: Findings indicate that paternal involvement as the primary caregiver is positively associated with family financial well-being, as is caregiving provided by hired help or other relatives. Conversely, maternal and grandparental roles as primary caregivers did not significantly enhance financial well-being. Conclusions: The findings suggest that affordable care services should be provided for families of children with ASD in China. Practitioners must emphasize the importance of parental care and provision in practical interventions and programs to improve the quality of life of families of children with ASD.