Jessica M Schwartzman1, Blythe A Corbett1,2. 1. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23 Avenue South, Nashville, TN, United States 37212. 2. Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, 110 Magnolia Circle, Nashville, TN, United States 37203.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Depression is more prevalent among male early adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than their typically- developing (TD) peers, but findings are limited to two male-only studies. Therefore, a broader understanding of depressive symptoms among both male and female early adolescents with ASD in larger samples is needed. Self- and parent-ratings are frequently used, yet rater differences may emerge and provide unique insights. METHOD: Ratings of adolescent depressive symptoms were examined among 230 early adolescents (10:0-13:5 years) with and without ASD using self- (Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition; CDI-2) and parent- report (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL) measures. The influence of diagnostic group (ASD vs. TD) and rater (early adolescent vs. parent) on ratings were examined with Full Scale IQ and sex as covariates. Additionally, the reliability and strength of agreement between raters were examined. RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms were reported by both raters in the ASD group (Borderline range) compared to the TD group (Average range). The interaction of diagnostic group and rater was nonsignificant, but significant main effects emerged. Sex was a significant covariate, but Full Scale IQ was not. The reliability and strength of agreement between raters in the ASD group only were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that depressive symptoms may be higher in both male and female early adolescents with ASD across self- and parent- reports. However, measurement of depression in ASD may be complicated by nonsignificant reliability and strength of agreement between raters. Results have implications for screening and intervention for early adolescents with ASD.
BACKGROUND: Depression is more prevalent among male early adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than their typically- developing (TD) peers, but findings are limited to two male-only studies. Therefore, a broader understanding of depressive symptoms among both male and female early adolescents with ASD in larger samples is needed. Self- and parent-ratings are frequently used, yet rater differences may emerge and provide unique insights. METHOD: Ratings of adolescent depressive symptoms were examined among 230 early adolescents (10:0-13:5 years) with and without ASD using self- (Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition; CDI-2) and parent- report (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL) measures. The influence of diagnostic group (ASD vs. TD) and rater (early adolescent vs. parent) on ratings were examined with Full Scale IQ and sex as covariates. Additionally, the reliability and strength of agreement between raters were examined. RESULTS: Higher depressive symptoms were reported by both raters in the ASD group (Borderline range) compared to the TD group (Average range). The interaction of diagnostic group and rater was nonsignificant, but significant main effects emerged. Sex was a significant covariate, but Full Scale IQ was not. The reliability and strength of agreement between raters in the ASD group only were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that depressive symptoms may be higher in both male and female early adolescents with ASD across self- and parent- reports. However, measurement of depression in ASD may be complicated by nonsignificant reliability and strength of agreement between raters. Results have implications for screening and intervention for early adolescents with ASD.
Entities:
Keywords:
Autism; depression; early adolescence; parent ratings; typically-developing peers
Authors: Douglas A Granger; Leah C Hibel; Christine K Fortunato; Christine H Kapelewski Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology Date: 2009-07-25 Impact factor: 4.905
Authors: Tasha M Oswald; Mary Ann Winter-Messiers; Brandon Gibson; Alexandra M Schmidt; Cynthia M Herr; Marjorie Solomon Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2016-02
Authors: P J Leaf; M Alegria; P Cohen; S H Goodman; S M Horwitz; C W Hoven; W E Narrow; M Vaden-Kiernan; D A Regier Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1996-07 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Jeffrey J Wood; Jill Ehrenreich-May; Michael Alessandri; Cori Fujii; Patricia Renno; Elizabeth Laugeson; John C Piacentini; Alessandro S De Nadai; Elysse Arnold; Adam B Lewin; Tanya K Murphy; Eric A Storch Journal: Behav Ther Date: 2014-01-22
Authors: Valérie La Buissonnière Ariza; Sophie C Schneider; Sandra L Cepeda; Jeffrey J Wood; Philip C Kendall; Brent J Small; Karen S Wood; Connor Kerns; Kirti Saxena; Eric A Storch Journal: Child Psychiatry Hum Dev Date: 2021-01-18