Social Anxiety Partially Mediates the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Symptoms and Hostility

Background:  Emerging research shows that social anxiety may be related to aggression in children and adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HFASD) (Pugliese et al., 2010). Social anxiety, in neurotypical populations, is associated with specific cognitive biases, such as assuming others will judge them negatively, and a tendency to interpret ambiguous interpersonal interactions negatively (Clark, 2001; Mohlman et al., 2007). These biases can lead to angry feelings, hostility, and possibly aggression.  In individuals with HFASD, it has been theorized that anxiety related to the experience of social exclusion may lead to increased anger and hostility (Attwood, 2007).  Although not previously assessed in adults, it is possible that social anxiety may contribute to hostility, at least partially, in people with symptoms of ASD. 

Objectives:  This study was conducted to determine if symptoms of social anxiety mediate the relationship between ASD symptoms and hostility in neurotypical (non-ASD) college students.

Methods:  Undergraduate students (n = 685) from a large public university were enrolled in the study, using an online database through which students could earn class credit.  Participants completed measures of aggression/hostility (BPAQ; Buss & Perry, 1992), symptoms of autism (AQ; Baron-Cohen et al., 2001), and social phobia (SPAI-23; Roberson-Nay et al., 2007).

Results:  ASD symptoms were associated with social phobia symptoms (r = .54, p < .001). Based on partial correlations, hostility was correlated with both symptoms of ASD (pr = .24, p < .001 and social phobia (pr = .26, p < .001).  Baron and Kenny’s (1986) procedure was used to examine mediation.  When ASD and social anxiety symptoms were included simultaneously in the model that predicted hostility, each predictor was significant, but the predictive coefficient for ASD reduced significantly (Preacher & Hayes, 2004; z = 6.17, p < .001). 

Conclusions:  In a neurotypical sample of college students without diagnosed ASD, symptoms of ASD and social anxiety were correlated, and both were associated with increased hostility. Social anxiety partially mediated the effect of ASD symptoms on hostility.  Thus, ASD symptoms both directly and indirectly impacted hostility.  Although these results shed light on the role of social anxiety in the relationship between ASD symptoms and hostility, generalization to young adults with confirmed ASD diagnoses requires replication with participants with confirmed ASD diagnoses. If this model holds for individuals with ASD, intervention targeting social anxiety may be one effective method of reducing problems with hostility or anger.