The Association Between Autistic Traits and Disordered Eating is Moderated by Sex/Gender and Independent of Anxiety and Depression

Camouflaging, not sensory processing or autistic identity, predicts eating disorder symptoms in autistic adults

LAY ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the impact of Autistic identity (i.e. feeling like you belong to the Autistic community), sensory profiles (e.g. being over or under responsive to sensations) and camouflaging behaviours (i.e. masking) on eating disorder symptoms in Autistic adults. 180 Autistic people were recruited from the community and NHS. The Autistic people completed online questionnaires measuring Autistic identity, sensory profiles, camouflaging behaviours, autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms. The analysis showed that higher levels of camouflaging behaviour predicted higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. Sensory profiles were related to but did not predict eating disorder symptoms and there was no relationship between level of Autistic identity and eating disorder symptoms. This shows that camouflaging is the most important predictor of eating disorder symptoms in Autistic people, and warrants further exploration.

Engaging the AQ10 to Predict Professional Burnout or Poor Work-Related Psychological Wellbeing Among Anglican Clergy in Wales

The ten-item Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) is a self-report instrument originally designed to identify referrals for professional diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Recent studies suggest that this instrument may also be tapping more generalised affective disorders. Working with this interpretation, this study examines the predictive power of the AQ10 to account for additional variance, after personal and personality factors have been taken into account, on the two scales of the Francis Burnout Inventory. Data provided by 220 Anglican clergy serving in Wales demonstrated that 8.6% of the participants recorded six or more red flags on the AQ10 (and so qualified for referral for specialist diagnostic assessment) and that higher scores on the AQ10 are associated with significantly lower levels of satisfaction in ministry and with significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion in ministry. These data suggest that screening with the AQ10 may be helpful in identifying clergy vulnerable to professional burnout and to poor work-related psychological wellbeing, in addition to its primary purpose of screening for ASD.

Exploring the role of autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology on mentalising ability in the general population

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the role of overlapping traits and characteristics related to autism spectrum disorder (autism) and anorexia nervosa (AN) in the general population, and the impact of these traits on mentalising ability.

METHODS

A sample of young adults (N = 306), aged 18-25 years, was recruited to complete an online study that consisted of 4 measures: the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Mentalization Scale, and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task.

RESULTS

Higher levels of autistic traits, particularly difficulty with attention switching, were associated with increased eating disorder psychopathology. Overall, autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology were related among females, but not males. Difficulty with attention switching, however, was related to eating disorder psychopathology among both females and males. Autistic traits also appear to have a greater role in mentalising ability than does eating disorder psychopathology.

CONCLUSION

The role of attention switching in overlapping traits of autism and eating disorder psychopathology needs to be more comprehensively evaluated by future research, as does the role of biological sex. Expanded knowledge in this field will help to better understand and evaluate symptoms at presentation, leading to clearer diagnoses and potentially better treatment outcomes.

Relationships among autistic traits, depression, anxiety, and maternal-infant bonding in postpartum women

BACKGROUND

Although several studies have found significant relationships between autistic traits and depression/anxiety, the relationships between autistic traits and postpartum depression/anxiety remain unclear. Moreover, few studies have examined the relationships between autistic traits and mother-infant bonding while considering depression or anxiety.

METHODS

This study used a cross-sectional data analysis design. Participants were 2692 women who completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) at 1 month postpartum. We performed path analysis that included parity, the five AQ subscales (social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, communication, and imagination), both HADS subscales (anxiety and depression), and the two MIBS subscales (lack of affection and anger and rejection).

RESULTS

Our path analysis revealed that higher scores for social skills, attention switching, communication, and imagination were associated with higher scores for depression. Higher scores for social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, and communication were associated with higher scores for anxiety. Moreover, difficulties in social skills and imagination were associated with failure of maternal-infant bonding. However, more attention to detail was associated with better maternal-infant bonding.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that maternal autistic traits are related to anxiety and depression to a certain degree, but only slightly related to maternal-infant bonding at 1 month postpartum. To improve autistic women's quality of life and that of their newborns, perinatal mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and maternal-fetal bonding difficulties should be appropriately addressed.

Sex-specific mechanisms for eating disorder risk in men and women with autistic traits: the role of alexithymia

BACKGROUND

A poorly understood relationship exists between eating disorders (ED) and autism spectrum conditions (ASC: henceforth 'autism'). ED are more prevalent in autistic people and people with high autistic traits, and autistic features are prognostic of longer illness. Aiming to understand what increases the risk of ED in relation to autism and autistic traits, previous research has implicated alexithymia as a causal mechanism in this relationship. These studies could not, however, disentangle whether alexithymia explains the relationship between ED pathology and autistic traits directly or through its impact on anxious/depressive symptoms, which in turn result in higher ED symptomatology. Moreover, despite evidence for sex differences in the aetiology of ED, little research has examined the impact of sex on these relationships.

METHODS

Focusing on the association between autistic traits and ED psychopathology, we examined independent mediating effects of alexithymia and anxious/depressive symptoms, as well as sequential mediation effects where alexithymia affects ED psychopathology via its impact on anxious/depressive symptoms. Participants were 198 men and 265 women with formally diagnosed and suspected ED, who completed an online survey of standardised scales.

RESULTS

In men, higher autistic traits were associated with ED psychopathology sequentially via greater alexithymia and through that, greater depressive/anxious symptoms. In women, alexithymia mediated the relationship between autistic traits and ED psychopathology both directly and sequentially through its impact on anxious/depressive symptoms. Interestingly, depressive/anxious symptoms also mediated that relationship independently from alexithymia.

CONCLUSIONS

While cross-sectional, these findings suggest that the relationship between autistic traits and ED symptomatology is mediated by other variables. In support of its proposed role in the aetiology of ED, alexithymia was directly associated with ED symptoms in women. It also affected ED symptoms indirectly, in all participants, via its effect on depressive/anxious symptoms. Interventions focusing on alexithymia may facilitate recovery not only via their effect on ED, but via their effect on other forms of state psychopathology which contribute to the maintenance and development of ED. Sex differences, however, reflect that alternative therapeutic targets for men and women may be beneficial.

The associations between autistic traits and disordered eating/drive for muscularity are independent of anxiety and depression in females but not males

Previous research has shown a positive correlation between autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms, and this relationship appears to be independent of co-occurring mental health status. The current study followed a pre-registered analysis plan with the aim to investigate a previously unconsidered factor in the relationship between autistic traits and disorders of eating and body image: the drive for muscularity. Participants (N = 1068) completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS). Positive correlations between AQ and EAT-26 and AQ and DMS were observed. In females, AQ remained significantly correlated with EAT-26 and DMS when controlling for co-occurring anxiety and depression symptoms, but this was not the case in males. These findings demonstrate the moderating role of sex, and the need to consider autistic traits in individuals diagnosed with, or at a heightened risk for, disorders of eating and body image.

Sex differences in peripheral monoamine transmitter and related hormone levels in chronic stress mice with a depression-like phenotype

Backgrounds

Chronic stress could induce depression-like phenotype in animal models. Previous data showed that sex differences exist after chronic stress model establishment, however, the detailed information about the difference of blood biochemical indexes is not clear. In this study, we aim to supply comparison of monoamine transmitters and related hormone markers in serum between male and female depressed mice, and in order to better understand the sex difference in transmitters and hormone levels in depression occurrence and development.

Methods

Sixty C57BL/6 mice (both male and female) were divided into two groups by gender. Same gender mice were then divided randomly into the non-treated control group and chronic stress group which was exposed to 8 weeks of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Depression-like behavior was assessed with open-field test and sucrose preference test. Blood sample was collected and monoamine transmitter and related hormone in serum were measured by ELISA.

Results

The depression-like phenotype mice model was established successfully after 8 weeks of chronic stress. The locomotion activity scores in male stressed mice declined more than that in female stressed mice, while the exploratory behavior scores in female stressed mice declined more than that in male stressed mice. Compared to non-treated control group mice, mice in the chronic stress group in response to stress showed greater declines in monoamine transmitters (5-HT, dopamine, norepinephrine) and sex hormones (androgen, estrogen, oxytocin and prolactin), while stress hormones (adrenaline, corticosterone and ACTH) were significantly increased. The decrease of norepinephrine, androgen and estrogen in female stressed mice was greater than in male stressed mice, whereas the 5-HT and oxytocin in male stressed mice decreased more than in female stressed mice, and the corticosterone in male stressed mice increased more than in female stressed mice.

Conclusion

Sex differences of monoamine transmitter and related hormone levels in serum occurred in chronic stress induced depression-like phenotype mice model. It may provide a useful reference to guide precise antidepressant treatment in different gender population in clinical care.

Autistic Traits and Social Responsiveness: The Relationship Between Autistic Traits and Comorbid Psychiatric Symptoms in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

INTRODUCTION

It is known that patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) display social difficulties like social responsiveness and high levels of autistic behaviors such as rigidity, narrow interests of food and weight; however it is not clear whether they have comorbid Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or it is about acute phase of illness. In this study it is aimed to investigate autistic traits and social responsiveness in adolescents with AN.

METHODS

Study group was consisted of 39 female AN patients aged between 12-18 years. Control group was consisted of 34 female adolescents who did not have any psychiatric disorder. K-SADS-PL was applied to all participants in order to detect the psychiatric disorders. Autism traits and social responsiveness were evaluated using Social Responsiveness Scale. All adolescents of the study were administered The Eating Attitude Test, Beck Depression Inventory, Screen for Child Anxiety and Related Disorders, Maudsley Obsesive Compulsive Inventory.

RESULTS

Results of the study indicated that adolescents with AN had higher symptoms of depression, anxiety and autism-like symptom clusters; and lower social responsiveness. Psychiatric comorbidities were not associated with these difficulties.

CONCLUSION

The results show that AN patients have an impairment of social responsiveness, the impairment seems to be associated with AN regardless of psychiatric comorbidities. Despite these two disorders are considered unrelated, they have several traits in common. These results suggest that there may be a common pathogenesis between ASD and AN.

Anxiety Sensitivity Domains are Differently Affected by Social and Non-social Autistic Traits

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is implicated in the development and maintenance of several psychopathological conditions. Non-clinical individuals with high autistic traits may develop anxiety disorders and depressive symptoms. Here, we investigated the relationships of autistic traits with AS dimensions and depression, considering sex. We referred to the two-factor model of the autism spectrum quotient to distinguish social and non-social autistic traits and assessed 345 university students on AS and depression scales. Results showed that only social autistic traits predicted general AS and anxiety-related concerns regarding social and cognitive domains. The present results emphasize the need of assessing multiple domains of anxiety in individuals on the autistic spectrum, differentiating social and non-social traits.

Mental health of people with distorted body weight perception using medicinal remedies: A representative study

We aimed to examine the prevalence of distorted body weight perception (BWP) and the choice of weight control strategies to investigate the associations between the psychological features and the different strategies for controlling body weight. Method: We used a representative nationwide 39-item survey to randomly select 1,000 participants. The extrapolated number (eN) to the whole national population was also reported. Self-BWP, weight control strategies, and obesity-related psychological conditions including anxiety, self-esteem, body satisfaction, obesity-related quality-of-life (QoL), and eating attitudes were assessed. Results: Among men, 39.30% (eN = 5,887,137) underestimated, whereas 24.90% (eN = 3,290,847) of women overestimated their weight. In contrast to 2% (eN = 271,745) of men, 15.20% (eN = 2,012,262) of women sought medical support to control their weight. Men and women who used medical support for weight management and women who overestimated their weight reported the most unfavorable psychological conditions (anxiety, self-esteem, body satisfaction, QoL, and eating attitudes; p < .05). Conclusions: A prevalent burden of psychological problems related to distorted BWP and weight control strategies was revealed. People with distorted BWP and using medical procedures for their weight control could be at a higher risk of psychological disorders. Therefore, body weight-related psychological problems call for urgent public health policies.