Emotional intelligence and psychological well-being among autism caregivers: role of government support

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise the improvement of well-being for everyone at all ages. The increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), especially among children, is worrying. ASD is a lifelong developmental condition that hinders communication and cognitive skills, resulting in distinctive behaviours that distinguish autistic children apart from those without the condition. As a result, autism caregivers have substantial difficulties, frequently suffering increased stress and emotional instability, which leads to reduced psychological well-being. This study aims to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence (independent variable) and psychological well-being (dependent variable) among autism caregivers, while simultaneously assessing the moderating effect of government support on this relationship. The study also examines the impact of specific demographic factors (e.g., age, marital status, level of education, occupation sector and household income) on psychological well-being. A quantitative approach was utilised, employing purposive sampling and self-administered online questionnaires to collect data from 159 caregivers of children with autism in Selangor, Malaysia. The study model was assessed with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicated: (1) specific demographic factors had both significant and insignificant impacts on psychological well-being, (2) emotional intelligence had a positive effect on psychological well-being, and (3) the relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological well-being reduced in the presence of government support, suggesting that there could be compensatory effect associated with this support. This study complements the existing literature by contributing comprehensive insight into the relationship among emotional intelligence, government support, and psychological well-being in the context of autism caregiving. It emphasises the important role of emotional intelligence in ensuring caregivers' psychological well-being, especially in situations with inadequate governmental support. The findings highlight the necessity for specific efforts by government agencies and healthcare practitioners towards increasing emotional intelligence in autism caregivers, thus promoting resilience and enhancing their psychological well-being.