Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Corresponding Author
Darren Hedley PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Correspondence
Darren Hedley, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMirko Uljarević PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Stanford Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKitty-Rose Foley PhD
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Department of Developmental Disability, Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Richdale PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJulian Trollor MD
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Department of Developmental Disability, Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Darren Hedley PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Correspondence
Darren Hedley, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria 3086, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMirko Uljarević PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Stanford Autism Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Search for more papers by this authorKitty-Rose Foley PhD
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Department of Developmental Disability, Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorAmanda Richdale PhD
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJulian Trollor MD
Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Department of Developmental Disability, Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information: Grant sponsor: Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC).
Abstract
Background
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at significantly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Given that social difficulties in ASD often lead to social isolation, which can in turn increase the risk for depression, this study examined loneliness and social support as potential risk and protective factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation.
Method
The sample comprised 185 people (92 females) with ASD aged 14 to 80 years who were participating in a national survey.
Results
Forty-nine percent of participants returned scores in the clinical range for depression and 36% reported recent suicidal ideation. Females, comprising almost 50% of the sample, returned higher depression scores than males, however no differences were identified between males and females in terms of suicidal ideation. Regression analyses revealed that loneliness, satisfaction with social support, and ASD traits predicted depression scores. Satisfaction with social support predicted suicidal ideation, however, it was no longer a significant predictor after the effects of depression were taken into account. Path analysis showed that ASD trait severity was independently related to depression, that the effect of number of social supports on depression was mediated by loneliness and satisfaction with social support, and that effects of loneliness and satisfaction with social support on suicidal ideation were mediated by depression. The pattern of relationships was nearly identical for males and females.
Conclusions
This study supports a model whereby loneliness and social support operate respectively as protective and risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in ASD.
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