@misc{10481/111641,
year = {2026},
month = {4},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/111641},
abstract = {Health-related behaviors —including sleep quality, physical-activity level, screen time, and 
mealtime behavior —, are often disrupted in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and 
may be associated with a lower family quality of life (FQoL). This systematic review and meta- 
analysis evaluated these associations, recognizing the central role that daily health habits may 
play in shaping FQoL. A registered protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42023408500) guided a 
comprehensive search across seven electronic databases and grey literature sources, yielding 12 
eligible studies that included 6373 families of children with ASD who were evaluated on health- 
related behaviors and FQoL. Publication bias was assessed. Moderate correlations were found 
between FQoL and sleep problems (k = 6,r = 
.36, p < .001), and moderate positive correla
tions with screen-time (k = 3, r = .34, p < .05). Physical activity showed no significant pooled 
association with FQoL (k = 4,r = .14,p = .49) despite substantial heterogeneity. Mealtime 
behavior showed a negative association in a single study (k = 1, r = 
0.25). Future research 
should clarify the directionality of these associations and examine how multiple health-related 
behaviors may interact to influence FQoL. Targeted interventions addressing specific health- 
related behaviors could enhance existing approaches for improving FQoL in families of chil
dren with ASD.},
organization = {University of Granada - (PIPJIA2022/42)},
organization = {MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 - (JC2019-039691-I)},
organization = {Universidad de Málaga / CBUA - (Open access charge)},
publisher = {Elsevier},
keywords = {Sleep},
keywords = {Mealtime},
keywords = {Screen time},
title = {Health-related behaviors and family quality of life in autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis},
doi = {10.1016/j.reia.2026.202876},
author = {Garrido del Águila, Dunia and Pérez Gómez, María Del Mar and Petrova, Dafina and Catena Martínez, Andrés and García Retamero Imedio, María Del Rocío},
}