Peaceful life, peaceful mind

: investigating the role of social problem-solving deficits on depressive vulnerability in adults on the autism spectrum

Abstract

Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) are reported to be a particularly susceptible population to episodes of depression. It has been proposed that difficulties adapting to the increased social expectations/demands of adulthood due to disorder related social/communication impairments, and resultant isolation/loneliness, and perceived social inadequacy could be at fault. The program of research described in this thesis aimed to explore to what extent deficits in social problem-solving (SPS) abilities may account for some of the depressive susceptibility found in adults with HFASD, and to better understand the origins and common presentations of these deficits for this population. Four empirical studies were designed and executed to address these aims. Preliminary insight was gained through analogue studies examining ASD phenotype expression in university students. Study 1 (Chapter 2) examined theoretical models of the relationships between the ASD phenotype, SPS, and depressive symptomology. Study 2 (Chapter 3) provided support to the utility of the models developed in Chapter 2, by examining how the relationships between these variables change between groups with low, high, and clinically relevant ASD phenotype expression levels. Additionally, this chapter explored the role of affective theory of mind (aToM) on the SPS deficits associated with the ASD phenotype. While no support was found for a significant role being played by aToM, the primary finding from these first two studies was that SPS ability appears to play the role of a partial mediator in the relationship between the ASD phenotype and depressive symptomology. Study 3 (Chapter 4) supported this primary finding in a clinical sample of adults with HFASD, and expanded our understanding of SPS deficits in this population with the dismissal of symptoms of anxiety as a potential confound, the identification of common areas of deficit within the SPS process, and findings from a longitudinal analysis implicating the relationship between SPS and depressive symptoms to be bi-directional. Finally, study 4 (Chapter 5) explored the roles of emotional awareness (alexithymia) and emotion regulation on the development of SPS deficits in adults with HFASD. Both of these variables were found to have significant effects on overall SPS ability level for the study sample, and their unique contributions to deficits with specific components of the SPS process were explored. Taken all together, the findings from this program of research supports the premise that SPS deficits have a significant impact on depressive vulnerability in adults with HFASD, provides insight into the components of the SPS process that represent common areas of difficulty for this population, and has identified some of the mechanisms that may be underlying the development of these deficits. The implications of these findings with regard to psychosocial therapeutic opportunities for the reduction of depressive symptomology and vulnerability in this population, as well as recommendations for future studies on this subject are discussed.

Date of Award	21 Jun 2016
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Barbara Dritschel (Supervisor)