Abstract
A screening version of the social responsiveness scale (SRS) was administered to 1,847 university students to identify a subgroup reporting significantly greater autism traits relative to their peers (High SRS group). A group reporting minimal autism traits was also identified (Low SRS group) matched for age, gender, and attentional difficulties. We administered the Behavioral Assessment System for Children—2nd edition (BASC-2), a comprehensive questionnaire designed to assess psychiatric symptoms and personality characteristics, to both groups. The high SRS group reported significantly more difficulties across the majority of areas, including depression/anxiety, interpersonal relationships, and personal adjustment. Thus, young adults reporting a greater degree of autistic traits also reported greater psychiatric difficulties across a wide psychosocial range.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by grants from the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders (SC & SK) and MU Research Board (SC). The authors would like to thank Lauren Kruczyk, Kimberly Pope, Mary Middleton, Angela Sloop, and Brittany Waller for their assistance with data collection
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Kanne, S.M., Christ, S.E. & Reiersen, A.M. Psychiatric Symptoms and Psychosocial Difficulties in Young Adults with Autistic Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 39, 827–833 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0688-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-008-0688-x