Perceived social support and life satisfaction of Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: Loneliness as a mediator and moderator

•This study highlights the importance of evaluating life satisfaction through an approach that considers both perceived social support and loneliness.•Perceived social support and loneliness had significant predictive effects on life satisfaction.•Loneliness both mediated and moderated the influence of perceived social support on life satisfaction.•These findings indicate that improving perceived social support and reducing loneliness may meaningfully improve life satisfaction and serve as the basis of an intervention strategy in parent-focused programs for Chinese parents of children with ASD.