The Self‐Construal Scale: A Potential Tool for Predicting Subjective Well‐Being of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Given the heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder, an important limitation of much autism spectrum disorder research is that outcome measures are statistically modeled as separate dependent variables. Often, their multivariate structure is either ignored or treated as a nuisance. This study aims to lift this limitation by applying network analysis to explicate the multivariate pattern of risk and success factors for subjective well-being in autism spectrum disorder. We estimated a network structure for 27 potential factors in 2341 individuals with autism spectrum disorder to assess the centrality of specific life domains and their importance for well-being. The data included both self- and proxy-reported information. We identified social satisfaction and societal contribution as the strongest direct paths to subjective well-being. The results suggest that an important contribution to well-being lies in resources that allow the individual to engage in social relations, which influence well-being directly. Factors most important in determining the network’s structure include self-reported IQ, living situation, level of daily activity, and happiness. Number of family members with autism spectrum disorder and openness about one’s diagnosis are least important of all factors for subjective well-being. These types of results can serve as a roadmap for interventions directed at improving the well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

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Social Support and Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Parents of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Mediating Role of Perceived Discrimination

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.781794 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Yongfei Ban ◽

Ji Sun ◽

Jiang Liu

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Perceived Discrimination ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Chinese Parents

The present research was done to examine whether social support was related to subjective well-being on Chinese parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how perceived discrimination affected this relationship. Two hundred four parents with ASD children were investigated by Inventory of Social Support Behavior, Perceived Discrimination Scale for Parents of Children With ASD, Subjective Well-being Scale. The results showed that perceived discrimination was negatively associated with social support and subjective well-being, and social support was positively related to subjective well-being. Furthermore, perceived discrimination played a partial mediating role between social support and subjective well-being. All the findings suggest that social support can directly influence subjective well-being of parents of ASD children and indirectly influence subjective well-being through perceived discrimination.

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Understanding perceptions underlying the self-reported stress among parents of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Considerations for supporting families

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101770 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 84 ◽

pp. 101770

Author(s):

Natalie S. Raff ◽

Sarah S. Mire ◽

Leslie Frankel ◽

Samuel D. McQuillin ◽

Katherine Loveland ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

The Self ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Adolescents With Autism

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Neurodivergent Themed Neighbourhoods as A Strategy to Enhance the Liveability of Cities: The Blueprint of an Autism Village, Its Benefits to Neurotypical Environments

Urban Science ◽

10.3390/urbansci2020042 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eurydice Chan

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Built Environment ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Design Guidelines ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Different Populations ◽

Limited Option ◽

Living Environments ◽

And Function

In the next decades, it is expected that there will be a significant number of adults living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who will continue to strive in the neurotypical environment. Despite the recent rise of developments that deviate from the institutional type of facility, many parents continue to voice their struggle to find safe and appropriate living environments for their adult children. The problem is not just the limited option on where to live, financing a home is also another dilemma. Thus, the challenge to provide appropriate living environments coincide with the need to provide meaningful opportunities that allows them to thrive and function in the society. This paper explores the existing design guidelines through recommendations on how spaces can be articulated by considering the value of savant skills and productive vocational skills for individuals living with ASD. This optimistic approach hopes to enlighten built environment practitioners in designing spaces where different populations can co–exist, particularly those with varied abilities. The environmental needs of ASDs and the proposed spatial interventions also extend its benefits to the well–being of neurotypicals. In addition, the participation of the ASD population in the built environment bridges accessibility and spatial experience. Therefore, designing neurodivergent neighbourhoods can be employed as a strategy to improve and enhance the liveability of urban regions.

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Surfing the Urge: An informal mindfulness practice for the self-management of aggression by adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science ◽

10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.10.003 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 170-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Nirbhay N. Singh ◽

Giulio E. Lancioni ◽

Bryan T. Karazsia ◽

Rachel E. Myers ◽

Eunjin Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

The Self ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Self Management ◽

Adolescents With Autism

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Renaming schizophrenia: 5 × 5

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000586 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 254-257 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Sinan Guloksuz ◽

Jim van Os

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Long Run ◽

The Social ◽

Technical Features ◽

In The Beginning

AbstractThere had been a long way to go before we felt comfortable about even discussing the issues revolving around the concept of ‘schizophrenia’, let alone reckoning on mere semantic revision. In this editorial, we aim to extend our discussion on the reasons behind the slow death of the concept of ‘schizophrenia’ and the benefits of changing the name and embracing a spectrum approach with an umbrella psychosis spectrum disorder (PSD) category (similar to autism spectrum disorder) that goes further than a mere semantic revision. We attempted to cover the topic of the renaming by providing five most pertinent points categorised under five domains: reasons, signals, challenges, promises and steps for the change. Admittedly, even a modest revision, such as classifying all psychotic disorder categories under an umbrella category of PSD, and abolishing the term schizophrenia requires careful deliberation and some effort in the beginning, but the revision is well worth the effort considering the benefits in the long run. Renaming a particular form of mental suffering should be accompanied by a broader debate of the entire diagnosis-evidence-based-practice (EBP)-symptom-reduction model as the normative factor driving the content and organisation of mental health services that may be detached from patients’ needs and reality, overlooks the trans-syndromal structure of mental difficulties, appraises the significance of the technical features over the relational and ritual components of care, and underestimates the lack of EBP group-to-individual generalisability. Individuals may make great strides in attaining well-being by accommodating to living with mental vulnerabilities through building resilience in the social and existential domains. Changing the name and the concept of ‘schizophrenia’, which goes beyond a mere semantic revision, may become the first step that allows catalysation of the process of modernising psychiatric science and services worldwide.

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Stability and change in resolution of diagnosis among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: Child and parental contributions

Development and Psychopathology ◽

10.1017/s095457941500067x ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (4pt1) ◽

pp. 1045-1057 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nurit Yirmiya ◽

Ifat Seidman ◽

Nina Koren-Karie ◽

David Oppenheim ◽

Smadar Dolev

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Maternal Attachment ◽

Child Characteristics ◽

Mothers And Fathers ◽

Mental Age ◽

Parental Characteristics

AbstractThe contribution of change over time in parent and child characteristics to parents’ resolution of child's diagnosis was examined among 78 mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder. Children's characteristics (e.g., mental age and severity of symptoms), parental characteristics (e.g., attachment-related anxiety and stress level), and parents’ resolution of their child's diagnosis (resolved vs. unresolved) were examined at Time 1, and reassessed 3 years later at Time 2. Results indicated a deferential contribution of change in parent and child characteristics among mothers and fathers. An increase in child symptom severity and in maternal attachment-related anxiety, as well as longer durations of time since receiving the diagnosis, significantly predicted maternal resolved status at Time 2. Conversely, none of the changes in children's or paternal characteristics predicted paternal resolved status at Time 2. Results are discussed in relation to child and parental contributions to resolution, the differences in the adjustment and well-being of mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder, parental growth following receiving the diagnosis, and the need for intervention components specific to parental resolution and attachment-related anxiety.

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Gastrointestinal concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study of family experiences

Autism ◽

10.1177/13623613211062667 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 136236132110626

Author(s):

Calliope Holingue ◽

Ohemaa Poku ◽

Danika Pfeiffer ◽

Sarah Murray ◽

M. Daniele Fallin

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Well Being ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Quality Healthcare ◽

Gastrointestinal Distress ◽

Gastrointestinal Problems ◽

Verbal Behaviors

Gastrointestinal distress is a prevalent issue in the autism spectrum disorder community, with implications for the person living with autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, the experiences of families caring for a child with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms have not been explored to date. We conducted one-on-one semi-structured interviews with 12 parents of children with co-occurring autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. Using an inductive analysis approach, drawing on phenomenology, we identified four major themes across interviews. First, parents reported that their child had difficulty verbally communicating the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, leading parents to rely on bodily signs and non-verbal behaviors to recognize when their child was experiencing gastrointestinal distress (Theme 1). Next, gastrointestinal issues impacted the child’s well-being and the ability to participate in and fully engage in activities (Theme 2), and the family’s well-being (Theme 3). Finally, parents often experienced challenges with seeking accessible and quality healthcare for their child’s gastrointestinal problems (Theme 4). These findings elucidate the incredible toll that gastrointestinal symptoms have on the overall wellness of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Lay abstract Gastrointestinal problems are common in the autism spectrum disorder community and may affect both the person with autism spectrum disorder and their families. However, little research is available on the experiences of families who have a child with both autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. We held one-on-one interviews with 12 parents of children who had both autism spectrum disorder and gastrointestinal symptoms. We analyzed the raw text responses from these interviews and identified four main themes. First, parents shared that their children had trouble verbally communicating when they were experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms (Theme 1). This led parents to use bodily signs, such as changes in the stool, and non-verbal behaviors, such as irritability, to recognize when their child was having gastrointestinal symptoms. Next, gastrointestinal issues affected both the child’s well-being and their ability to attend class and extracurricular or social activities (Theme 2). The gastrointestinal issues also affected the family’s routines, overall well-being, and their ability to go out and do activities together as a family (Theme 3). Finally, parents often had challenges receiving accessible and quality healthcare for their child’s gastrointestinal problems (Theme 4). Together, these findings highlight the enormous burden that gastrointestinal symptoms have on the wellness of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

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Treating Patients With Co-occurring Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder: A Clinical Explorative Study

Substance Abuse Research and Treatment ◽

10.1177/1178221819843291 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 117822181984329 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sissel Berge Helverschou ◽

Anette Ræder Brunvold ◽

Espen Ajo Arnevik

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Substance Use ◽

Well Being ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Group Supervision ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Outpatient Clinics ◽

Cognitive Behavioural

Background: Substance use disorders (SUDs) have been assumed to be rare in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent research suggests that the rates of SUD among individuals with ASD may be higher than assumed although reliable data on the prevalence of SUD in ASD are lacking. Typical interventions for SUD may be particularly unsuitable for people with ASD but research on intervention and therapy are limited. Methods: This study addresses ways of improving services for individuals with ASD and SUD by enhancing the competence of professionals in ordinary SUD outpatient clinics. Three therapists were given monthly ASD education and group supervision. The participants were ordinary referred patients who wanted to master their problems with alcohol or drugs. Four patients, all men diagnosed with ASD and intelligence quotient (IQ) ⩾ 70 completed the treatment. The participants were given cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) modified for their ASD over a minimum of 10 sessions. The therapies lasted between 8 and 15 months. Standardised assessments were conducted pre- and post-treatment. Results: Post-treatment, 2 participants had ended their drug and alcohol abuse completely, 1 had reduced his abuse, and 1 still had a heavy abuse of alcohol. Physical well-being was the most prevalent reported positive aspect of drug or alcohol use, whereas the experience of being left out from social interaction was the most frequent negative aspects of intoxication. Conclusions: CBT may represent a promising treatment option for individuals with ASD and SUD. The results suggest that patients’ symptoms can be reduced by providing monthly ASD education and group supervision to therapists in ordinary SUD outpatient clinics. This group of patients need more sessions than other client groups, the therapy has to be adapted to ASD, ie, direct, individualised, and more extensive. Moreover, the patients need psychoeducation on ASD generally, social training, and support to organise several aspects of their lives and some patients need more support than can be provided in an outpatient clinic.

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