# Family caregivers in later life: A longitudinal study of well-being and mental health in families of adults with autism and developmental disabilities

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $655,131

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This project aims to improve our ability to support the resilience of family caregivers of adults with autism and
developmental disorders as the caregivers move into later life. Based on a 30 year longitudinal study that
prospectively followed families from when their children were referred for possible autism or developmental
delays, we will use a social convoy model to investigate trajectories of social connectedness and isolation over
the next five years as they affect caregivers’ mental health and well-being. This model describes changes in
social connectedness over time that may increase vulnerability or reduce the effects of caregiver burden. We
examine additional interacting factors specifically related to family caregiver well-being and mental health in
families with adult children with developmental disabilities. We will use questionnaires, app-based diaries, face
to face interviews and exploratory measures of biological and cognitive aging over the course of 5 years during
which our sample is in their 60’s, linked to rich behavioral data from the past 20-30 years. Our objective is to
identify life milestones, such as retirement and the adult child’s moving out, as well as caregiver coping
strategies that allow us to support well-being and mental health in family caregivers as they age.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10808918
- **Project number:** 5R01AG080599-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Catherine Lord
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $655,131
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-03-15 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10808918

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10808918, Family caregivers in later life: A longitudinal study of well-being and mental health in families of adults with autism and developmental disabilities (5R01AG080599-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10808918. Licensed CC0.

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