Liliana Dell'Osso1, Barbara Carpita1, Ivan Mirko Cremone1, Camilla Gesi1, Arcangelo D'Ermo1, Giovanni De Iorio1, Gabriele Massimetti1, Eugenio Aguglia2, Paola Bucci3, Bernardo Carpiniello4, Andrea Fagiolini5, Rita Roncone6, Alberto Siracusano7, Antonio Vita8,9, Claudia Carmassi1, Mario Maj3. 1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. 4. Section of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. 5. Department of Molecular Medicine and Clinical Department of Mental Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. 6. Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy. 7. Department of Systems Medicine, Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 8. Psychiatric Unit, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. 9. Department of Mental Health, Spedali Civili Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous researches highlighted among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) a significant presence of autistic traits, which seem to influence clinical and functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to further deepen the investigation, evaluating how patients with SSD with or without autistic traits may differ with respect to levels of functioning, self-esteem, resilience, and coping profiles. METHODS: As part of the add-on autism spectrum study of the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses, 164 outpatients with schizophrenia (SCZ) were recruited at eight Italian University psychiatric clinics. Subjects were grouped depending on the presence of significant autistic traits according to the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) instrument ("AT group" vs "No AT group"). Other instruments employed were: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Specific Levels of Functioning (SLOF), Self-Esteem Rating scale (SERS), Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), and brief-COPE. RESULTS: The "AT group" reported significantly higher scores than the "No AT group" on SLOF activities of community living but significantly lower scores on work skills subscale. The same group scored significantly lower also on SERS total score and RSA perception of the self subscale. Higher scores were reported on COPE self-blame, use of emotional support and humor domains in the AT group. Several correlations were found between specific dimensions of the instruments. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the presence of specific patterns of functioning, resilience, and coping abilities among SSD patients with autistic traits.
BACKGROUND: Previous researches highlighted among patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) a significant presence of autistic traits, which seem to influence clinical and functional outcomes. The aim of this study was to further deepen the investigation, evaluating how patients with SSD with or without autistic traits may differ with respect to levels of functioning, self-esteem, resilience, and coping profiles. METHODS: As part of the add-on autism spectrum study of the Italian Network for Research on Psychoses, 164 outpatients with schizophrenia (SCZ) were recruited at eight Italian University psychiatric clinics. Subjects were grouped depending on the presence of significant autistic traits according to the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) instrument ("AT group" vs "No AT group"). Other instruments employed were: Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), Specific Levels of Functioning (SLOF), Self-Esteem Rating scale (SERS), Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), and brief-COPE. RESULTS: The "AT group" reported significantly higher scores than the "No AT group" on SLOF activities of community living but significantly lower scores on work skills subscale. The same group scored significantly lower also on SERS total score and RSA perception of the self subscale. Higher scores were reported on COPE self-blame, use of emotional support and humor domains in the AT group. Several correlations were found between specific dimensions of the instruments. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the presence of specific patterns of functioning, resilience, and coping abilities among SSD patients with autistic traits.
Entities:
Keywords:
Schizophrenia; autism spectrum; coping; global functioning; resilience
Authors: Ahmad Abu-Akel; Stephen J Wood; Rachel Upthegrove; Katharine Chisholm; Ashleigh Lin; Peter C Hansen; Steven M Gillespie; Ian A Apperly; Christiane Montag Journal: Mol Psychiatry Date: 2022-04-14 Impact factor: 13.437