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Mylett ML, Boucher TQ, Scheerer NE, Iarocci G. Examining the Relations Between Social Competence, Autistic Traits, Anxiety and Depression in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:3094-3106. [PMID: 37341858 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06012-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined whether social competence and autistic traits are related to anxiety and depression in autistic and non-autistic children. Parents of 340 children aged 6 to 12 years old, including 186 autistic and 154 non-autistic children completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to assess their child's autistic traits, the Multidimensional Social Competence Scale (MSCS) to assess their child's social competence, and the Behaviour Assessment Scale for Children 2 (BASC-2) to assess their child's internalizing symptoms of depression and anxiety, and children were administered the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II) to assess their intellectual abilities. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relations between social competence, autistic traits, anxiety, and depression. Social competence was related to anxiety and depression symptoms in autistic children, but only depression symptoms in non-autistic children, above and beyond the effects of autistic traits, IQ and age. Autistic children were also reported to experience more severe anxiety and depression symptoms, and more autistic traits were related to higher levels of anxiety and depression in both groups. These findings suggest that social competence and internalizing symptoms are intricately connected in autistic children and need to be jointly considered in both assessment and intervention. The social implications are discussed with an emphasis on acceptance of diverse social styles as a viable avenue to reduce children's internalizing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa L Mylett
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, RCB 5213, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Troy Q Boucher
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, RCB 5213, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Nichole E Scheerer
- Psychology Department, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L3C5, Canada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, RCB 5213, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Chen YWR, Ng DY, Tseng MH, Bundy A, Cordier R. The impact of coping behaviors on perceived competence and social anxiety in the everyday social engagement of autistic adolescents. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024; 28:1268-1279. [PMID: 37776008 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231196773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Individuals who cope well with challenges may engage in social situations more successfully. We examined how well autistic adolescents coped, depending on how competent they felt and how much anxiety they experienced during social activities. We included 133 individuals (82 autistic, 51 neurotypical) between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Participants carried a mobile device that prompted them seven times a day for 7 days to record what they were doing, how competent they felt and how much anxiety they experienced. We used the Coping Inventory to understand how well participants coped with environmental challenges and met their needs for growth. Autistic adolescents were more likely than neurotypical peers to feel anxious while doing activities with adults. Autistic adolescents who had more difficulty coping with challenges were more likely to feel anxious when doing leisure activities with peers. Interestingly, autistic adolescents who coped better with challenges tended to feel less competent in social situations. However, those better able to meet their needs for growth tended to perceive their social competence positively. These findings can help practitioners develop strategies and programs to reduce the negative social experiences of autistic adolescents by helping them cope better.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mei-Hui Tseng
- National Taiwan University, Taiwan
- National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan
| | | | - Reinie Cordier
- Northumbria University, UK
- Curtin University, Australia
- University of Cape Town, South Africa
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3
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Schwartzman JM, Bettis AH. Autistic traits in adolescents in psychiatric inpatient care: Clinical and demographic characteristics and correlates. RESEARCH IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 2024; 112:102339. [PMID: 38390586 PMCID: PMC10881179 DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2024.102339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Background Rates of psychiatric hospitalization among adolescents in the United States are rising, with many adolescents presenting to these settings with diverse clinical presentations, including autistic traits. To our knowledge, there has been little research identifying clinical characteristics of adolescents with autistic traits admitted to psychiatric inpatient units, which may be leveraged to improve assessment and treatment practices. Method In the current study, we examined clinical and demographic characteristics of 195 adolescents admitted to an adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit. Specifically, we investigated the prevalence of adolescents endorsing elevated autistic traits and tested associations between autistic traits, psychiatric symptoms (anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts), and key demographic variables (age, sex, gender, sexual orientation). Results Results show that over half of the adolescents admitted to the psychiatric inpatient unit reported elevated autistic traits on a short screening questionnaire. Higher autistic traits were significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms, though to a small degree. Autistic traits were not associated with anxiety symptoms, suicidal thoughts, nor social disconnectedness, and did not differ by sex, gender identity, nor sexual orientation. Conclusions Findings highlight the challenge of diagnostic overshadowing among adolescents in crisis and the need for more rigorous measures designed for an inpatient setting to improve risk stratification, clinical assessments, intervention approaches, and discharge planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Schwartzman
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Alexandra H. Bettis
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1500 21st Avenue South, Suite 2200, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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Dimanova P, Borbás R, Raschle NM. From mother to child: How intergenerational transfer is reflected in similarity of corticolimbic brain structure and mental health. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2023; 64:101324. [PMID: 37979300 PMCID: PMC10692656 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intergenerational transfer effects include traits transmission from parent to child. While behaviorally well documented, studies on intergenerational transfer effects for brain structure or functioning are scarce, especially those examining relations of behavioral and neurobiological endophenotypes. This study aims to investigate behavioral and neural intergenerational transfer effects associated with the corticolimbic circuitry, relevant for socioemotional functioning and mental well-being. METHODS T1-neuroimaging and behavioral data was obtained from 72 participants (39 mother-child dyads/ 39 children; 7-13 years; 16 girls/ 33 mothers; 26-52 years). Gray matter volume (GMV) was extracted from corticolimbic regions (subcortical: amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens; neocortical: anterior cingulate, medial orbitofrontal areas). Mother-child similarity was quantified by correlation coefficients and comparisons to random adult-child pairs. RESULTS We identified significant corticolimbic mother-child similarity (r = 0.663) stronger for subcortical over neocortical regions. Mother-child similarity in mental well-being was significant (r = 0.409) and the degree of dyadic similarity in mental well-being was predicted by similarity in neocortical, but not subcortical GMV. CONCLUSION Intergenerational neuroimaging reveals significant mother-child transfer for corticolimbic GMV, most strongly for subcortical regions. However, variations in neocortical similarity predicted similarity in mother-child well-being. Ultimately, such techniques may enhance our knowledge of behavioral and neural familial transfer effects relevant for health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plamina Dimanova
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Réka Borbás
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nora Maria Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Adams D, Ambrose K, Simpson K, Malone S, Dargue N. The relationshipbetween anxiety and social outcomes in autistic children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:706-720. [PMID: 37606793 PMCID: PMC10465686 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00450-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety is one of the most frequently reported co-occurring conditions for autistic children and adolescents. The relationship between anxiety and social outcomes in autistic youth has been the focus of a range of studies, with mixed results. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the strength of the association between anxiety and a frequently researched social outcome (social competence) in autistic young people and whether that association is influenced by individual or research design factors. A previous preregistered systematic review was updated with a search of the same three databases (CINAHL, ERIC, and PsycINFO) as the original review. Through this, 20 studies with sufficient data on a neurotypically-defined measure of social competence and anxiety were identified. Results were synthesised using a mixed effects model. The meta-analysis on 2,321 participants (from 22 samples) highlighted wide heterogeneity in results. The findings show that anxiety has a significant, small negative impact on social competence (d = - 0.48; 95% CI = - 0.71, - 0.26), meaning that as scores on measures of anxiety increase, scores on measures of social competence decrease. This relationship between anxiety and social competence was moderated by age, becoming weaker as age increased. Whilst this is an important finding for supporting mental health and well-being of autistic young people, the large amount of variance left unexplained suggests that multiple factors, including the use of measures designed for neurotypical people and the potential impact of camouflaging on such measures, need to be considered in future designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Adams
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia.
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia.
- Autism CRC, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Kathryn Ambrose
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Autism CRC, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kate Simpson
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Autism CRC, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stephanie Malone
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Nicole Dargue
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Brisbane, Australia
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Wilkinson E, Rinaldi ML, Christodulu KV. Predicting Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptoms from Social Skills Among Youth Referred for an Autism Evaluation. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2023:10.1007/s10578-023-01581-2. [PMID: 37608236 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01581-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Social skills are associated with depression and self-esteem in autistic youth. Minimal comparisons between youth and parent-reported social skills to clinically relevant samples limit existing studies. This study compared the relationships between parent and youth-reported social skills, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms between autistic youth and youth referred for but not given an autism diagnosis. Regression analyses of cross-sectional data revealed that youth-reported social skills statistically predicted self-esteem, parent-reported social skills statistically predicted depressive symptoms, and self-esteem statistically predicted depressive symptoms. All relationships were weaker in the autistic group, except parent-reported social skills and depressive symptoms, which was stronger. Results indicate that poor social skills are associated with mental health outcomes among youth referred for autism diagnosis, but that autism-related factors may influence these relationships. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Wilkinson
- Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University at Albany State University of New York, 1535 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203, USA.
| | - Melissa L Rinaldi
- Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University at Albany State University of New York, 1535 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
| | - Kristin V Christodulu
- Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University at Albany State University of New York, 1535 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203, USA
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Lupi E, Tucci F, Casula L, Novello RL, Guerrera S, Vicari S, Valeri G. Early and stable difficulties of everyday executive functions predict autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems in preschool age children with autism: a 2-year longitudinal study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1092164. [PMID: 37583604 PMCID: PMC10425204 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1092164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Longitudinal studies of autistic children show that autism symptoms and emotional/behavioral problems vary and change over time. However, the factors that affect this variability remain far from certain and very little is known about what take place in the preschool period and the role of executive functions (EF). Methods Here, we test the influence of stable difficulties in everyday executive functioning (EEF) during early childhood across 2 years on autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems. Twenty-nine autistic children (24 males and 5 females) were assessed twice within the space of 2 years. At baseline (M = 29 months, SD =5.6 months), participants were assessed for EEF, cognitive development, autistic symptoms, and emotional/behavioral problems. At follow-up, we repeated the same assessment except for cognitive development. Results The group with stable difficulties (across 2 years) in EEF during early childhood showed a worsening in the severity of autistic symptoms and emotional and behavioral problems compared with children without EEF difficulties (p < 0.05), and these effects cannot be attributable to cognitive development. Discussion Our results suggest that early and stable EEF plays the role of a modifier by interacting with the core domains of autism, in particular with the social affect domain (SA CSS), influencing social cognition and exacerbating or lessening symptom expression and emotional behavioral problems. These short-term longitudinal and preliminary findings underscore the importance of EEF as necessary target for early intervention in children with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Lupi
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Tucci
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Casula
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lucia Novello
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Guerrera
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Valeri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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8
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Lateef H, Horton D, Brugger L, Yu M, Jellesma FC, Boahen-Boaten BB, Borgstrom E. Goal Orientation and Adolescent Social Competence: Ubuntu as a Mediator Among Black American Adolescents. JOURNAL OF PREVENTION (2022) 2023; 44:325-339. [PMID: 36847871 DOI: 10.1007/s10935-023-00726-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Social competence, which is the ability to demonstrate socio-emotional behavior skills, is crucial during adolescence with far-reaching implications across the lifespan. However, social competence development among youth is greatly influenced by social inequities, which places many Black American youth at a disadvantage due to the disproportionate burden on youth development in resource-constrained environments. Responsively, we sought to determine whether Afrocentric cultural norms (i.e., Ubuntu) and goal orientation contribute to the resilience of Black youth in developing social competence while controlling for social positions (i.e., social class and gender). For this study, we used the dataset of black boys and girls (average age of 14.68) from the Templeton Flourishing Children Project. Linear regression analysis followed by mediation analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with higher degrees of social competence. Significant study findings indicate that Black youth reporting higher goal-oriented mindsets reported higher social competence scores. Goal orientation and social competence were mediated by Ubuntu, with the model explaining 63% variance in social competence in Black youth. The findings suggest prevention efforts that provide socialization centered around Afrocentric cultural norms may provide valuable means of bolstering social competence development in Black youth living in resource-constrained communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Husain Lateef
- Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA.
| | - Dominique Horton
- Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA
| | - Laura Brugger
- Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA
| | - Mansoo Yu
- University of Missouri, Missouri, USA
| | - Francine C Jellesma
- Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA
| | | | - Ellie Borgstrom
- Washington University, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, MO 63130, St. Louis, USA
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Grella ON, Dunlap A, Nicholson AM, Stevens K, Pittman B, Corbera S, Diefenbach G, Pearlson G, Assaf M. Personality as a mediator of autistic traits and internalizing symptoms in two community samples. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:81. [PMID: 35346350 PMCID: PMC8962582 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00774-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social functioning and is comorbid with internalizing disorders and symptoms. While personality is associated with these symptoms and social functioning in non-ASD samples, its role mediating the relationship between ASD traits and internalizing symptoms is not clear. Methods We studied the mediating effect of personality on the correlations between ASD traits and internalizing symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress) in two samples. Additionally, we explored the moderating effect of gender. Analyses were applied to a small (Study 1; N = 101) undergraduate sample. A broader sample recruited via an online crowdsourcing platform (Study 2; N = 371) was used to validate the results. Results Study 1’s mediation analyses revealed that neuroticism was the only significant mediator. Study 2 replicated these results by finding extraversion to be an additional mediator for anxiety and extraversion, openness, and agreeableness as additional mediators for stress. Moderation analyses revealed that gender was never a significant moderator. Conclusions These results support the effects of personality on the relationship between autism traits and internalizing symptoms. Future research should explore these effects in clinical samples to better understand the role of personality in symptomatology and the need to address it as part of intervention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-022-00774-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia N Grella
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA.
| | - Amanda Dunlap
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA
| | - Alycia M Nicholson
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA
| | - Kimberly Stevens
- Anxiety Disorders Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Silvia Corbera
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA.,Department of Psychological Science, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, USA
| | - Gretchen Diefenbach
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Anxiety Disorders Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
| | - Godfrey Pearlson
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michal Assaf
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center, Institute of Living, Hartford Hospital, 200 Retreat Avenue, Hartford, CT, 061016, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Ambrose K, Simpson K, Adams D. The relationship between social and academic outcomes and anxiety for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum: A systematic review. Clin Psychol Rev 2021; 90:102086. [PMID: 34598053 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is the most common co-occurring condition in children on the autism spectrum but the potential impacts of anxiety on social and academic outcomes of children on the autism spectrum have not been systematically examined. In this review, 50 studies were identified that explore the relationship between anxiety and scores on social or academic measures in children on the autism spectrum. Social competence was frequently measured, and the findings of these studies were mixed. While other social constructs have received little attention, associations were found between anxiety and victimisation, and anxiety and social relationships. Only three studies focused on the impact of anxiety on scores on academic measures, highlighting the need for further research in this area. Anxiety was most frequently measured using subscales from broader behavioural instruments, which may not capture the range of anxiety symptoms of children on the autism spectrum. Future studies that include multi-informant methodologies and proportional representation of females and children with intellectual disability will further knowledge of the impact of anxiety in children on the spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Ambrose
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; The Co-operative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), PO Box 6068, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia.
| | - Kate Simpson
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; The Co-operative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), PO Box 6068, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Dawn Adams
- Autism Centre of Excellence, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; Griffith Institute for Educational Research, Griffith University, Messines Ridge Road, Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia; The Co-operative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), PO Box 6068, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
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11
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Shin SH, Wright C, Johnston S. Early Life Experiences Moderate the Relationship Between Genetic Risk of Autism and Current and Lifetime Mental Health. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:772841. [PMID: 34916975 PMCID: PMC8669098 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.772841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Although individuals with autism are at greater risk of mental health challenges than others, we know little about the relationship between the mental health of older adults (50+) and autism because they are less likely to be diagnosed. Identifying the risk and protective factors that are associated with mental health can increase educational awareness, inform clinical practice, and provide information to help diagnose and treat older adults with autism. This study used longitudinal panel data of the 2008-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. It estimated individual random-effect models by interacting a genetic propensity toward autism and early life experiences to test whether the latter has a moderating effect on the relationships between genetics and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) score, self-reported depression, and history of psychiatric problems. Results suggest that individuals with a higher genetic propensity for autism are less likely to develop psychiatric problems if they report a positive maternal relationship early in life. Further, a combined effect of police encounters early in life and genetic risk for autism is associated with higher CES-D scores, increased odds of self-reported depression, and a history of psychiatric problems. Clinical applications of these findings include the need to establish and support high-quality relationships by addressing both child and caregiver needs. Further, these findings support the need to design and implement proactive interventions to teach police and autistic individuals how to successfully navigate these encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hyun Shin
- Department of Family & Consumer Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Cheryl Wright
- Department of Family & Consumer Studies, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Susan Johnston
- Department of Special Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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12
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Mingins JE, Tarver J, Waite J, Jones C, Surtees ADR. Anxiety and intellectual functioning in autistic children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2020; 25:18-32. [PMID: 33198481 PMCID: PMC8162138 DOI: 10.1177/1362361320953253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Autistic children experience higher levels of anxiety than their peers. Making appropriate diagnoses of anxiety disorders and providing effective treatment for these children is particularly difficult. Inconsistent evidence suggests that levels of anxiety in autistic children are related to intellectual functioning. We provide the first meta-analysis of this evidence. A systematic search identified 49 papers for review. These papers included measures of anxiety and intelligence quotient in 18,430 autistic children. Studies employing correlations showed evidence of a significant relationship between intelligence quotient and anxiety in autistic children: children with higher intelligence quotient scored higher on measures of anxiety. Studies directly comparing groups of autistic children with and without intellectual disability also supported this conclusion. Most studies employing other designs also supported this finding. Employing a quality assessment framework identified common threats to validity. Many studies used measures of anxiety that were not validated across the samples they measure. This was most notable for those autistic children with an intellectual disability. It is vital that future research determines whether the identified relationship between intelligence quotient and anxiety reflects something important in the mechanism for anxiety in autistic children, or quantifies the lack of sensitivity of our measures of anxiety across different groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Andrew DR Surtees
- University of Birmingham, UK
- Birmingham Children’s Hospital, UK
- Andrew DR Surtees, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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13
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Fong VC, Iarocci G. The Role of Executive Functioning in Predicting Social Competence in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Res 2020; 13:1856-1866. [PMID: 33460309 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
All children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience social difficulties but they differ with regard to the type and severity of their challenges. Potentially powerful interventions targeting social skills in children with ASD may have limited effectiveness if they are not tailored to the child's specific needs. One factor that may influence social competence is executive functioning (EF). EF may impact social competence by facilitating higher-order strategies such as emotional and cognitive regulation which are necessary for social interactions. Participants included 132 children and adolescents, aged 7-13, including 77 with ASD (M = 10.11, SD = 1.94), and 55 without ASD (M = 9.54, SD = 1.67). Caregivers completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning, Version 2 (BRIEF-2) Parent Form, assessing everyday EF skills, and the Multidimensional Social Competence Scale (MSCS). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted separately for the group without ASD and the group with ASD, with MSCS entered as the dependent variables and EF indices and scales of the BRIEF-2 as the main predictor variables. EF deficits in emotional control predicted poor emotion regulation for both children with and without ASD. For the group without ASD, better emotional control and initiation skills predicted empathic concern and social knowledge, respectively. Challenges in self-monitoring significantly predicted difficulties with social inferencing and social knowledge for children with ASD. The findings highlight the importance of targeting specific EF skills that contribute to various aspects of social competence to increase the effectiveness of interventions for children with ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1856-1866. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC LAY SUMMARY: We examined whether parents' ratings of their children's higher-order thinking skills (e.g., paying attention, organizing and planning, initiating tasks, regulating emotions, self-monitoring) predicted social competence among children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For children without ASD, emotional control and initiation skills were strongly linked to their displays of empathy and social knowledge, respectively. For children with ASD, their abilities to be aware of their own behaviors and its impact on others were strongly related to their ability to interpret social cues and their social knowledge. For both groups, the ability to regulate their emotions were important predictors of their ability to modulate their emotions in social contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Clarisse Fong
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Scheerer NE, Shafai F, Stevenson RA, Iarocci G. Affective Prosody Perception and the Relation to Social Competence in Autistic and Typically Developing Children. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:965-975. [PMID: 32285352 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00644-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty perceiving and expressing emotions. Since prosodic changes in speech (i.e. changes in intonation, stress, rhythm, etc.) are crucial for extracting information about the emotional state of a speaker, an inability to perceive and interpret these prosodic changes may be related to impairments in social communication. This study used non-verbal emotional voice-clips to examine the ability of autistic and typically-developing children (7-13 years old) to extract affect from changes in prosody. This research also explored whether difficulty extracting affective intent from changes in prosody may be related to social competence. Autistic (n = 26) and typically-developing (n = 26) children accurately matched emotional voice-clips to emotion words, suggesting autistic children can accurately extract the affective meaning conveyed by changes in prosody. Autistic children were less accurate at matching the voice-clips to emotional faces, suggesting that autistic children may struggle to make use of prosodic information in a social context. Across both autistic and typically-developing children, prosody-face matching accuracy was found to predict overall social competence, as well as social inferencing abilities, suggesting that the inability to utilize affective information derived from a speaker's voice may interfere with effective social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole E Scheerer
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
- Department of Psychology, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada.
| | - Fakhri Shafai
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Social Science Centre, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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15
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Sáez-Suanes GP, Álvarez-Couto M, d’Orey Roquete M. Depressive symptomatology in adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability: correlates and predictors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2020; 68:131-135. [PMID: 35309703 PMCID: PMC8928827 DOI: 10.1080/20473869.2020.1721161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) usually appears associated with other comorbid psychopathology. For this reason, the present research aimed to study the comorbid conditions in ASD paying more attention to depressive symptoms. The investigation included a sample of 37 adults with ASD and intellectual disability (M = 27.49; SD = 9.2), users of various associations of the Community of Madrid. Autistic severity was assessed with the Diagnostic Behavioral Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder-Revised (Dibas-R) and comorbidity was assessed through Autism Spectrum Disorders-Comorbidity for Adults (ASD-CA). The results showed a significant correlation between autism symptomatology and general comorbidity. Moreover, autistic symptoms were associated with depressive symptomatology. A hierarchical regression analysis was also conducted; and its data suggested that irritability/behavioral excesses were significant predictors of depression in ASD.
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Adams D, Simpson K, Keen D. School-related anxiety symptomatology in a community sample of primary-school-aged children on the autism spectrum. J Sch Psychol 2018; 70:64-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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17
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Gardiner E, Iarocci G. Everyday executive function predicts adaptive and internalizing behavior among children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2017; 11:284-295. [PMID: 28960841 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Gardiner
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, 950 West 28th Avenue; Vancouver BC V5Z 4H4 Canada
- Department of Pediatrics; University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street; Vancouver BC V6H 3V4 Canada
| | - Grace Iarocci
- Department of Psychology; Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive; Burnaby BC V5A 1S6 Canada
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