Mapping the Link between Socio-Economic Factors, Autistic Traits and Mental Health across Different Settings
| Title: | Mapping the Link between Socio-Economic Factors, Autistic Traits and Mental Health across Different Settings |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Teresa Del Bianco (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2024 28(5):1280-1296. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 17 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Socioeconomic Influences, Mental Health, Control Groups, Socioeconomic Background, Behavior Problems, Child Behavior, Adjustment (to Environment), Antisocial Behavior |
| Geographic Terms: | Europe, South Africa |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613231200297 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Autistic individuals experience higher rates of externalising and internalising symptoms that may vary with environmental factors. However, there is limited research on variation across settings that may highlight common factors with globally generalisable effects. Data were taken from two cohorts: a multinational European sample (n = 764; 453 autistic; 311 non-autistic; 6-30 years), and a South African sample (n = 100 non-autistic; 3-11 years). An exploratory factor analysis aggregated clinical (Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Index), adaptive traits (Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale) and socio-economic variables (parental employment and education, home and family characteristics) in each cohort separately. With regression, we investigated the effect of these factors and autistic traits on internalising and externalising scores (measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Cohorts showed similar four-factor structures (Person Characteristics, Family System, Parental and Material Resources). The 'Family System' factor captured family size and maternal factors and was associated with lower internalising and externalising symptoms in both cohorts. In the European cohort, high autistic traits reduced this effect; the opposite was found in the South Africa cohort. Our exploratory findings from two separate analyses represent consistent evidence that Family System is associated with internalising and externalising symptoms, with a context-specific impact in persons with high autism traits. [This article was written with the EU-AIMS LEAP Team.] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1423396 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
|---|---|
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613231200297 |
| Published in: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice |
| Language: | English |