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Hoeberichts K, Roke Y, Niks I, van Harten PN. The effect of the stress autism mate app on perceived stress, coping, and resilience in adults with autism: a single-case experimental design. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1347947. [PMID: 38938455 PMCID: PMC11210387 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1347947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The mobile health application "Stress Autism Mate" (SAM) was designed to support adults with autism in identifying and managing daily stress. SAM measures stress four times daily, provides a daily and weekly stress overview, and provides personalised stress reduction advice. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of SAM over four weeks in reducing perceived stress and internalised stigma, and enhancing coping self-efficacy, quality of life, and resilience among adults with autism. Methods Using an A1-B-A2 single-case experimental design, the effect of using SAM on adults with autism was assessed. The phases consisted of A1; treatment as usual (TAU), B; introducing SAM, and finally A2; follow-up with TAU and without the use of SAM. Each phase lasted four weeks, and data were collected via questionnaires before and after each phase. Linear mixed models were used for data analysis. Results Results show significant reductions in perceived stress levels, increased coping self-efficacy, and improved perceived health and psychological well-being after using SAM. Furthermore, increased resilience, and decreased internalised stigma were reported after follow-up. Discussion In conclusion, this study highlights SAM as a valuable tool for empowering adults with autism to reduce stress and internalised stigmaand to improve coping self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Hoeberichts
- Expertise Centre Specialised in Autism Spectrum Disorder, GGz Centraal, Almere, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yvette Roke
- Expertise Centre Specialised in Autism Spectrum Disorder, GGz Centraal, Almere, Netherlands
| | - Irene Niks
- Department Work, Health & Technology, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Peter N. van Harten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, GGz Centraal, Amersfoort, Netherlands
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Parenteau CI, Lampinen LA, Ghods SS, Taylor JL, Adams RE, Bishop SL, Zheng S. Self-reported Everyday Sources of Happiness and Unhappiness in Autistic Adults. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1538-1548. [PMID: 36689096 PMCID: PMC9869319 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-05892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Daily mood can be influenced by a range of experiences. Identifying everyday life experiences that make autistic adults happy and unhappy holds potential to foster positive mood and tackle mental health problems amongst this group. METHODS A total of 293 autistic adults between the ages of 18 to 35 years old (mean age of 26.51 years old (SD = 4.62); 43.3% female gender, 4.8% nonbinary) provided open-text responses regarding everyday sources of happiness and unhappiness. Using an iterative process of inductive coding, 14 happy themes and 22 unhappy themes of mood-changing life experiences were identified based on self-report qualitative data. RESULTS Common themes across the happy and unhappy domain involved social partners, social interactions, and engagement in recreational and employment activities, with additional distinct themes specific to happy or unhappy mood. Top themes identified in the happy domain emphasizes encouraging quality relationships and positive interactions with others and cultivating supportive work/societal environments to build a sense of achievement and value. Meanwhile, emotional tolls accompanied negative relationships and interactions, underscoring the necessity to provide autistic adults with conflict resolution and coping skills to increase feelings of happiness. CONCLUSION Overall, the wide range of sources of happy and unhappy everyday experiences highlights the importance of considering personal preferences in engagement with others and activities in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- China I Parenteau
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
| | - Linnea A Lampinen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Sheila S Ghods
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | | | - Ryan E Adams
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, USA
| | - Somer L Bishop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Shuting Zheng
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA
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Vitor-Vieira F, Patriarcha PP, Rojas VCT, Parreiras SS, Giusti FCV, Giusti-Paiva A. Influence of maternal immune activation on autism-like symptoms and coping strategies in male offspring. Physiol Behav 2024; 275:114432. [PMID: 38081404 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114432] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) caused by exposure to pathogens or inflammation during critical periods of gestation increased susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, in the offspring. In the present work, we aimed to provide characterization of the long-term consequences on anxiety-like behavior and cardiovascular stress response of MIA in the offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MIA by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in adult male offspring. In our study, the animals were subjected to a range of behavioral and physiological tests, including the elevated plus maze, social interaction, cat odor response, open field behavior, contextual fear conditioning, and cardiovascular responses during restraint stress. In the offspring of MIA, our study unveiled distinct anxious behaviors. This was evident by fewer entries into the open arms of the maze, diminished anti-thigmotaxis in the open field, and a decrease in social interaction time. Moreover, these rats showed heightened sensitivity to cat odor, exhibited prolonged freezing during fear conditioning, and presented elevated 22 Hz ultrasonic vocalizations. Notably, during restraint stress, these animals manifested an augmented blood pressure response, and this was associated with an increase in c-fos expression in the locus coeruleus compared to the control group. These findings collectively underline the extensive behavioral and physiological alterations stemming from MIA. This study deepens our understanding of the significance of maternal health in predisposing offspring to neurobehavioral deficits and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Vitor-Vieira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro P Patriarcha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Viviana Carolina T Rojas
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Sheila S Parreiras
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (Unifal-MG), Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Alexandre Giusti-Paiva
- Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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Ulu Aydin H, Cifci Tekinarslan I, Gulec Aslan Y. The Power Card Strategy: Strength-Based Intervention Against Bullying for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06161-w. [PMID: 37964015 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06161-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The pattern of behaviors and abilities that reflect the core characteristics of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and an environment that lacks the ability to understand individuals with ASD can make these students targets of bullying. Bullying is a serious problem for students with ASD, and practices against it are important in terms of improving students' coping strategies and overall well-being. In this study, we used a multiple probe model with an interprobe phase across participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the power card strategy to teach three students with ASD to respond to bullying. At baseline, the students gave few appropriate responses based on coping strategies for bullying after listening to stories about bullying. During the application of the power cards, the students read scenarios and power cards created for their favorite heroes or special interests, which included coping strategies for three different bullying situations (exclusion, being pushed, and being tickled). Then, they watched animations prepared for these bullying situations and were asked to answer questions about strategies to deal with bullying. The findings showed that all three students learned targeted strategies for coping with bullying in the context of the sessions using power cards. The students were able to generalize to different bullying situations (teasing, damaging one's belongings, being ignored) while retaining their strategies for coping with bullying in the context of the sessions held after the teaching was completed. The social validity findings of the power card strategy showed that one out of three students exhibited coping strategies for bullying in the school environment. The findings of the present study are discussed in the context of bullying and ASD, limitations, and recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Ulu Aydin
- Special Education Department, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.
| | | | - Yesim Gulec Aslan
- Special Education Department, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
- Special Education Department, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Muniandy M, Richdale AL, Lawson LP. Stress and well-being in autistic adults: Exploring the moderating role of coping. Autism Res 2023; 16:2220-2233. [PMID: 37698532 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3028] [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] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The wider stress literature points to negative associations between stress and well-being. Similarly, the use of engagement coping strategies and disengagement coping strategies in the face of stress are related to improved and reduced well-being respectively. However, in the autistic population stress and coping research is limited to date, and the extent to which coping may moderate the relationship between stress and well-being is not known. Using data from an Australian online study, we explored the potential moderating (i.e. buffering or exacerbating) role of coping in the relationship between stress and well-being in a sample of autistic adults (N = 86). Our findings indicated that increased stress was associated with lower well-being. Further, moderation analyses showed that while both engagement coping (e.g. problem solving, positive appraisal) and disengagement coping (e.g., self-distraction, being in denial) strategies had significant positive and negative direct effects on well-being respectively; engagement coping also moderated the relationship between stress and well-being, buffering the impact of stress on well-being. Our results illustrate the different underlying mechanisms by which coping strategies may be associated with stress and well-being. They also highlight the potential protective role of engagement coping strategies, which can be incorporated into the promotion and maintenance of well-being in autistic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Muniandy
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amanda L Richdale
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Lauren P Lawson
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Psychology, Counselling & Therapy, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia
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Cleary M, West S, Kornhaber R, Hungerford C. Autism, Discrimination and Masking: Disrupting a Recipe for Trauma. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2023; 44:799-808. [PMID: 37616302 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2239916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Outcomes of discrimination for autistic people include masking, social isolation and exclusion, trauma, and mental health problems. This discursive paper discusses the discrimination experienced by autistic people in health, education, employment, and media settings; and considers how to reduce the impact of discrimination. Addressing the impact of discrimination requires an improved understanding of the lived experience of the autistic person, the embedding of inclusive practices in communities, developing the person's life skills and supports, and enabling the person to work through their psychological trauma. Further research can aid in minimizing and preventing discrimination against people with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Cleary
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sancia West
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachel Kornhaber
- School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine Hungerford
- School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Waizbard-Bartov E, Fein D, Lord C, Amaral DG. Autism severity and its relationship to disability. Autism Res 2023; 16:685-696. [PMID: 36786314 PMCID: PMC10500663 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism severity is currently defined and measured based exclusively on the severity levels of the two core symptom domains: social-communication and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviors and interests. Autistic individuals, however, are often diagnosed with other medical, developmental, and psychological co-occurring conditions. These additional challenges such as intellectual disability, limited expressive and/or receptive language, and anxiety disorders, can have a tremendous impact on the day-to-day lives of autistic individuals, for both their adaptive functioning as well as their sense of wellbeing. Furthermore, the initial presentation of core symptoms and their likelihood of changing over time are influenced by the presence of such co-occurring conditions. In order to truly understand how a person's autism impacts their life, both core symptoms as well as other challenges should be considered. This approach was recently taken byThe Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism, which proposed the term "profound autism" for a subgroup of individuals presenting with high core symptom severity, co-occurring intellectual disability, and little or no language, who require extensive long-term care. Considering other individual factors such as daily living skills, specific support needs and environmental resources would also enhance the evaluation of disability in autistic individuals. As currently employed in the assessment of intellectual disability, a multidimensional approach to autism could provide a more comprehensive system for classification of impairment. At present, however, there is no formal way to designate the combined effect of these different aspects of autism on a person's life. A comprehensive outlook that acknowledges impairments, capabilities, co-occurring conditions, and environmental factors would be useful for identifying subgroups of individuals as well as for determining individual needs and strengths in clinical assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einat Waizbard-Bartov
- Department of Psychology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
- The MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Deborah Fein
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Catherine Lord
- Departments of Psychiatry and Human Development and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David G. Amaral
- The MIND Institute and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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Muniandy M, Richdale AL, Lawson LP. Coping-resilience profiles and experiences of stress in autistic adults. Autism Res 2022; 15:2149-2166. [PMID: 36114687 PMCID: PMC9826183 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Emerging studies allude to high stress in autistic adults. Considering the detrimental impact of stress on health outcomes, examining individual resources which may influence the extent to which stress is experienced (e.g., coping and resilience) is vital. Using a person-focused approach, this study aimed to identify coping-resilience profiles, and examine their relations to general perceived stress and daily hassles in a sample of autistic adults (N = 86; aged 19-74 years). Cluster analysis identified four coping-resilience profiles (i.e., high cope/ low resilience, low cope/ high resilience, engage cope/ high resilience, and disengage cope/ low resilience). The high cope/ low resilience and disengage cope/ low resilience groups had significantly higher general perceived stress than the remaining groups. No significant group differences were noted in relation to daily hassles. Jointly addressing coping and resilience may be beneficial on the perceived stress experienced in autistic adults. The use of coping-resilience profiles may also allow for the personalization of stress management and support options in the autistic adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Muniandy
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Amanda L. Richdale
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Lauren P. Lawson
- Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public HealthLa Trobe UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia,Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
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Ng-Cordell E, Rai A, Peracha H, Garfield T, Lankenau SE, Robins DL, Berkowitz SJ, Newschaffer C, Kerns CM. A Qualitative Study of Self and Caregiver Perspectives on How Autistic Individuals Cope With Trauma. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:825008. [PMID: 35911211 PMCID: PMC9329569 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.825008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coping can moderate the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms. There are many conceptualisations of coping in the general population, but limited research has considered how autistic individuals cope, despite their above-average rates of traumatic exposure. Objectives To describe the range of coping strategies autistic individuals use following traumatic events. Methods Fourteen autistic adults and 15 caregivers of autistic individuals, recruited via stratified purposive sampling, completed semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe how they/their child attempted to cope with events they perceived as traumatic. Using an existing theoretical framework and reflexive thematic analysis, coping strategies were identified, described, and organized into themes. Results Coping strategies used by autistic individuals could be organized into 3 main themes: (1) Engaging with Trauma, (2) Disengaging from Trauma, and (3) Self-Regulatory Coping. After the three main themes were developed, a fourth integrative theme, Diagnostic Overshadowing, was created to capture participants' reports of the overlap or confusion between coping and autism-related behaviors. Conclusions Autistic individuals use many strategies to cope with trauma, many of which are traditionally recognized as coping, but some of which may be less easily recognized given their overlap with autism-related behaviors. Findings highlight considerations for conceptualizing coping in autism, including factors influencing how individuals cope with trauma, and how aspects of autism may shape or overlap with coping behavior. Research building on these findings may inform a more nuanced understanding of how autistic people respond to adversity, and how to support coping strategies that promote recovery from trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise Ng-Cordell
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anika Rai
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hira Peracha
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tamara Garfield
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Stephen E. Lankenau
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Diana L. Robins
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Craig Newschaffer
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Connor M. Kerns
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- A. J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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