Huey-Ling Chiang1,2,3, Susan Shur-Fen Gau1,3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan. 3. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience long-term social impairment and their comorbid psychiatric conditions negatively impact adaptive functioning. The aims of the study are to investigate whether comorbid psychopathologies, such as anxiety/depression, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional behaviors, mediated the link between autistic symptoms and social maladjustment. METHOD: One hundred and twenty-four youths diagnosed with a clinical diagnosis of DSM-IV ASD (mean age, 10.6 ± 3.3 years) participated in this longitudinal study. They were assessed using semistructured diagnostic interviews on ASD and other psychiatric conditions at recruitment. Follow-up interviews took place approximately 3 years later (37.59 ± 15 months) while the parents reported to the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents on their children's social adjustment. Mediation models were used to examine the mediating effect of comorbid psychopathologies on social adjustment. RESULTS: Youths with ASD had worse school, peer, and home functions than controls at follow-up assessment. In general, comorbid psychiatric conditions mediated the link between autistic symptoms and different domains of social adjustment, independent of age, sex, and full-scale IQ. Additionally, we found specific mediating effects of anxiety/depression and inattention on school functions; anxiety/depression on peer relationships; and oppositional behaviors on home behaviors. CONCLUSION: Early comorbid psychopathologies may further impair later social adjustment in youths with ASD and an early identification and intervention of these comorbid conditions are suggested.
BACKGROUND: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience long-term social impairment and their comorbid psychiatric conditions negatively impact adaptive functioning. The aims of the study are to investigate whether comorbid psychopathologies, such as anxiety/depression, inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, and oppositional behaviors, mediated the link between autistic symptoms and social maladjustment. METHOD: One hundred and twenty-four youths diagnosed with a clinical diagnosis of DSM-IV ASD (mean age, 10.6 ± 3.3 years) participated in this longitudinal study. They were assessed using semistructured diagnostic interviews on ASD and other psychiatric conditions at recruitment. Follow-up interviews took place approximately 3 years later (37.59 ± 15 months) while the parents reported to the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents on their children's social adjustment. Mediation models were used to examine the mediating effect of comorbid psychopathologies on social adjustment. RESULTS: Youths with ASD had worse school, peer, and home functions than controls at follow-up assessment. In general, comorbid psychiatric conditions mediated the link between autistic symptoms and different domains of social adjustment, independent of age, sex, and full-scale IQ. Additionally, we found specific mediating effects of anxiety/depression and inattention on school functions; anxiety/depression on peer relationships; and oppositional behaviors on home behaviors. CONCLUSION: Early comorbid psychopathologies may further impair later social adjustment in youths with ASD and an early identification and intervention of these comorbid conditions are suggested.
Authors: Mikle South; Katherine M Taylor; Tiffani Newton; Megan Christensen; Nathan K Jamison; Paul Chamberlain; Oliver Johnston; Michael J Crowley; J Dee Higley Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2017-12
Authors: Xenia Borue; Carla Mazefsky; Brian T Rooks; Michael Strober; Martin B Keller; Heather Hower; Shirley Yen; Mary Kay Gill; Rasim S Diler; David A Axelson; Benjamin I Goldstein; Tina R Goldstein; Neal Ryan; Fangzi Liao; Jeffrey I Hunt; Daniel P Dickstein; Boris Birmaher Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2016-10-04 Impact factor: 8.829