PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article aimed to identify, in the scientific literature, the main psychopathological symptoms presented by caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as to describe factors related to the psychological distress experienced by these individuals. This was a bibliographic study with a qualitative and exploratory approach, conducted through an integrative literature review. The search was performed in the SciELO, LILACS, and MEDLINE databases, considering studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. The findings indicated a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and social isolation among caregivers, frequently associated with the intensity of caregiving demands, limited support networks, and difficulties in accessing specialized services. These factors were observed to contribute to the worsening of psychological distress and to a reduction in the quality of life of these individuals. It was concluded that caring for children with ASD was directly associated with impairment of caregivers' mental health, highlighting the need to expand psychological and social support strategies aimed at this population.