English abstract
The present study aims to identify the stigma and its relation to the quality of life among the mothers of children with autism in Al Batinah North Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. The researcher used the descriptive correlative approach and two instruments were applied. First, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL), which is consisted of five axes: happiness and positivity, daily activities, satisfaction, work, and beliefs. Second, Sense of Stigma Scale, which is consisted of three dimensions: psychological dimension, family dimension, and social dimension. After verifying the validity and reliability of these scales, both instruments were applied on a sample of (37) mothers of children with autism. They were selected through the purposive method of sampling and their children are present in Al-Wafa Centers in Al Batinah North Governorate. To analysis the sample members' responses, the researcher used SPSS program. The study reached the following results:
• The level of life quality of mothers of children with autism was average, as indicated by the total score of Life Quality Scale among the study sample of mothers of children with autism, while the level of beliefs axis was small in the dimensions of
the scale.
• The level of stigma among the mothers of children with autism was high, as indicated by the total score of Sense of Stigma Scale among the study sample of mothers of children with autism, while the level of family dimension was very high
in the dimensions of the scale.
There were no statistically significant differences among the study members that can be attributed to the academic qualification of the mother, age of the mother, birth order, number of children, and family income.
• There were statistically significant differences in the psychological dimension attributed to the age of the mother.
• There was an inverse relationship between stigma and life quality among mothers of children with autism.
