PSYCHOSOCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISTIC TRAITS

Background: Past research has demonstrated that traits of autism are continuously distributed in the population (e.g., Constantino & Todd, 2003). It is also been found that adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are at greater risk for experiencing other psychosocial difficulties, including depression and anxiety (e.g., Ghaziuddin, Ghaziuddin, & Greden, 2002; Seltzer et. al., 2003).

Objectives: To explore whether young adults who report a greater degree of ASD traits, but without an ASD diagnosis, also report experiencing a greater degree of other psychosocial difficulties.

Methods: A screening version of the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) was administered to over 2000 students and used to identify 45 individuals (ages 18-21) reporting greater social difficulties (High SRS Group). Seventy-five individuals reporting minimal difficulties were also identified (Low SRS Group). The Autism Spectrum Quotient was administered and confirmed a significant difference in the reporting of autism traits between the groups. Gender was evenly distributed evenly. A 2-way (Gender X SRS Group) ANOVA compared responses on the BASC-2 Self-Report.

Results: Individuals in the High SRS Group reported significantly more difficulties with personal adjustment, attitude towards school, interpersonal relations, self esteem, and self-reliance. They also reported significantly more atypicality, external Locus of Control, social stress, symptoms of depression, but less hyperactivity and less sensation seeking. Females in the High SRS Group reported significantly more difficulties with emotional symptoms, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy.

Conclusions: Similar to the extant literature on individuals diagnosed with an ASD, young adults reporting a greater degree of autistic traits via a SRS screening measure also reported greater difficulties across a wide psychosocial range. The results also indicate that females reporting more autistic traits report more problems in many areas relating to internalizing symptoms compared to males reporting more autistic traits.