Psychopathologies mediate the link between autism spectrum disorder and bullying involvement: A follow-up study

Bibliographic Details
Title: Psychopathologies mediate the link between autism spectrum disorder and bullying involvement: A follow-up study
Authors: Mei-Ni Hsiao, Yueh-Ming Tai, Yu-Yu Wu, Wen-Che Tsai, Yen-Nan Chiu, Susan Shur-Fen Gau
Source: Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, Vol 121, Iss 9, Pp 1739-1747 (2022)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2022.
Publication Year: 2022
Collection: LCC:Medicine (General)
Subject Terms: Autism spectrum disorder, Bullying, Mediation, Psychopathology, Victimization, Medicine (General), R5-920
More Details: Background/purpose: Youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a high risk of involvement in school bully. The study investigated whether comorbid psychopathologies mediated the link between ASD and bullying involvement. Methods: We assessed 353 youths (mean age, 11.8 ± 3.1 years), including 121 youths with ASD and 232 typically developing (TD) controls, using semi-structured diagnostic interviews on ASD and other psychiatric conditions. Follow-up assessments took place 2–5 years (37.6 ± 15 months) later. Meanwhile, their parents reported on the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents about bullying involvement statuses. We identified significant mediators by simple mediation models, followed by multiple mediation models to scrutinize the mediation effects of selected mediators. Results: The results showed a sevenfold increased risk of bullying involvement among youths with ASD compared with TD controls at follow-up. In general, psychopathologies mediated the link between ASD and bullying involvement, even independent of age and sex. Specifically, we found mediating effects of social problems on victimization-only and aggressive behaviors on victimization-perpetration. Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest the link between ASD and later bullying involvement is mediated by pre-existing comorbid psychiatric conditions, besides the direct effect of ASD on bullying victimization. Hence, early identification and intervention of these psychopathologies are highly suggested.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 0929-6646
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929664621005970; https://doaj.org/toc/0929-6646
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.12.030
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/1f1c0021b2f6435ba44a705fa5ba7d01
Accession Number: edsdoj.1f1c0021b2f6435ba44a705fa5ba7d01
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:09296646
DOI:10.1016/j.jfma.2021.12.030
Published in:Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Language:English