scholarly journals Ageing on the autism spectrum: A 4-year follow-up study of mental health and quality of life in autistic adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr Amanda Roestorf ◽  
Patricia Howlin ◽  
Dermot M. Bowler
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Autistic Adults

Background: Poor mental health is known to adversely affect functional abilities, social isolation and quality of life (QoL). It is, therefore, crucial to consider the long-term impacts of mental health conditions as autistic adults grow older. Objectives: Our objectives were to understand the extent of: (i) autistic traits, co-occurring physical and mental health conditions; (ii) age-related differences in those conditions; and (iii) their impact on everyday living and QoL. Method: Fifty-two autistic adults (aged 18-79 years) participated in the first study (T1); 28 took part in a follow-up at T2 (mean retest interval 2.5 years). Standardised self-report measures of autistic traits, mental health and QoL were completed at both time points. Results: Over half of autistic adults experienced at least one co-occurring condition, and over a third met the criteria for 3+ conditions. Depression symptoms were particularly high in autistic women. Mental and physical health problems were related to autistic traits, difficulties in everyday life, and were a strong and consistent predictor of poor QoL (T1; T2) across the lifespan. Conclusion: Our findings highlighted that mental health difficulties persisted into older age and did not reduce over time. Together, these findings raise important questions about mental health provision in adult autism.

Mental health correlates and potential childhood predictors for the wish to be of the opposite sex in young autistic adults

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110240
Author(s):  
Jung-Chi Chang ◽  
Meng-Chuan Lai ◽  
Yueh-Ming Tai ◽  
Susan Shur-Fen Gau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Item Endorsement ◽  
Opposite Sex ◽  
Autistic Adults

Cross-sectional research has demonstrated the overrepresentation of gender dysphoria in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. However, the predictors and underlying mechanisms of this co-occurrence remain unclear. This follow-up study aimed to explore baseline (childhood/adolescence) predictors for the follow-up (adulthood) self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex and to investigate its mental health correlates in a sample of 88 autistic individuals as compared with 42 typically developing controls. An item on the Adult Self-Report Inventory-4, “I wish I was the opposite sex,” was used. We compared mental health symptoms between adults with and without this item endorsement. We used prediction models to explore family and autism-related predictors in childhood/adolescence to endorse this item in adulthood. There were more adults endorsing the item in the autism spectrum disorder group compared with the typically developing group. Autistic adults who endorsed the item experienced more mental health challenges, more bullying victimization, more suicidal ideations, and worse quality of life. Lower parent-reported family support and more stereotyped/repetitive behaviors during childhood/adolescence predicted the self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex in adulthood in autistic individuals. It is necessary to raise more attention to gender development and related mental health impact in autistic individuals. Lay abstract Autistic people/people with autism spectrum disorder are more likely to experience gender dysphoria. However, the possible longitudinal predictors and underlying mechanisms of this co-occurrence are unclear. To fill this knowledge gap, we assessed 88 people with autism spectrum disorder and 42 typically developing individuals at their average ages of 13.0 (baseline, childhood/adolescence) and 20.2 years old (follow-up, adulthood). At follow-up, their endorsement on the item “I wish I was the opposite sex” was used to evaluate gender dysphoric symptoms. We compared mental health symptoms between adults with and without this item endorsement at the follow-up assessment. We explored parent-reported family and autism characteristics-related predictors in childhood/adolescence to this item endorsement in adulthood. We found that more autistic adults reported the wish to be of the opposite sex than did typically developing individuals. Autistic adults who endorsed this item experienced more mental health challenges, more school bullying and cyberbullying, more suicidal ideation, and worse quality of life. Moreover, parent-reported lower family support and more stereotyped/repetitive behaviors during childhood/adolescence predicted the self-reported wish to be of the opposite sex in adulthood in autistic individuals. More attention and support should be provided to autistic people regarding gender development and related mental health and quality of life impact, especially during the transition period to young adulthood.

Improving quality of life assessments for high-need adult Medicaid service users with mental health conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Nevola ◽  
Michael E. Morris ◽  
Holly C. Felix ◽  
Teresa Hudson ◽  
Nalin Payakachat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Medicaid Service

A co-produced self-management programme improves psychosocial outcomes for people living with depression

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 242-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Turner ◽  
Alba X. Realpe ◽  
Louise M. Wallace ◽  
Joanna Kosmala-Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Management Programme ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – There is growing interest in self-management support for people living with mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to describe the evaluation of a co-designed and co-delivered self-management programme (SMP) for people living with depression delivered as part of large scale National Health Service quality improvement programme, which was grounded in the principles of co-production. The authors investigated whether participants became more activated, were less psychologically distressed enjoyed better health status, and quality of life, and improved their self-management skills after attending the seven-week SMP. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted a longitudinal study of 114 people living with depression who attended the SMP. Participants completed self-reported measures before attending the SMP and at six months follow up. Findings – Patient activation significantly improved six months after the SMP (baseline M=49.6, SD=12.3, follow up M=57.2, SD=15.0, t(113)=4.83, p < 0.001; d=0.61). Participants’ experience of depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 significantly reduced (baseline M=15.5, SD=6.8, follow up M=10.6, SD=6.9, t(106)=7.22, p < 0.001, d=−0.72). Participants’ anxiety and depression as measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale also decreased significantly (baseline anxiety: M=13.1, SD=4.2, follow up M=10.2, SD=4.4, t(79)=6.29, p < 0.001, d=−0.69); (baseline depression: M=10.3, SD=4.6, follow up M=7.7, SD=4.5, t(79)=5.32, p < 0.001, d=−0.56). The authors also observed significant improvement in participants’ health status (baseline M=0.5, SD=0.3, follow up M=0.6, SD=0.3, t(97)=−3.86, p < 0.001, d=0.33), and health-related quality of life (baseline M=45.4, SD=20.5, follow up M=60.8, SD=22.8, t(91)=−2.71, p=0.008, d=0.75). About 35 per cent of participant showed substantial improvements of self-management skills. Originality/value – The co-produced depression SMP is innovative in a UK mental health setting. Improvements in activation, depression, anxiety, quality of life and self-management skills suggest that the SMP could make a useful contribution to the recovery services in mental health.

COVID-19 risk: Adult Medicaid beneficiaries with autism, intellectual disability, and mental health conditions

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110396
Author(s):  
Whitney Schott ◽  
Sha Tao ◽  
Lindsay Shea
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Residential Facility ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Autistic Adults

Adults on the autism spectrum and those with intellectual disability or mental health conditions may be at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or experiencing more severe illness if infected. We identified risk factors for COVID-19 among adults enrolled in Medicaid with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, intellectual disability, or mental health conditions. We examined adults ages 20–64 years with 9-month continuous enrollment over 2008–2012 using Medicaid Analytic eXtract data. There were 83,150 autistic adults and 615,607 adults with intellectual disability meeting inclusion criteria; of a random sample of 1 million beneficiaries without autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability, 35.3% had any mental health condition. Beneficiaries on the spectrum, those with intellectual disability, and those with mental health conditions all had higher odds of risk factors for becoming infected with COVID-19 (living in a residential facility, receiving services in the home from outside caregivers, having had a long hospitalization, and having had avoidable hospitalizations) and higher odds of comorbidities associated with severe illness from COVID-19. Clinicians should anticipate high prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19 among these populations. Health officials and non-governmental organizations should target these groups with outreach for the COVID-19 vaccine and support continued efforts for appropriate mitigation measures. Lay abstract Autistic adults, adults with intellectual disability, and adults with other mental health conditions may have higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or experiencing more severe illness from COVID-19 if infected. We used data from Medicaid to look at whether autistic adults and other adults with intellectual disability and other mental health conditions were more likely to have risk factors for COVID-19, such as living in a residential facility, receiving services regularly in the home from outside caregivers, having had a long hospitalization, having had avoidable hospitalizations, and having high-risk health conditions. We found that autistic adults had higher odds of living in a residential facility, receiving in-home services from outside caregivers, having had an avoidable hospitalization, and having a high-risk health condition, compared to neurotypical adults without mental health conditions. Adults with intellectual disability had similar odds of having these conditions. Adults with other mental health conditions were also more likely to live in a residential facility, receive services from outside caregivers, and have had avoidable hospitalizations compared to the neurotypical population without mental health conditions. They had three times higher odds of having a high-risk health condition. High risk of COVID-19 among autistic adults and adults with intellectual disability and mental health conditions should be recognized by clinicians, and these groups should be prioritized for vaccine outreach.

Disability, functioning, and quality of life among treatment-seeking young autistic adults and its relation to depression, anxiety, and stress

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1675-1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Ho Park ◽  
Yun Ju C Song ◽  
Eleni A Demetriou ◽  
Karen L Pepper ◽  
Alice Norton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
General Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Treatment Seeking ◽  
Work Loss ◽  
Mood Symptoms ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Autistic Adults

In this study, we consecutively recruited treatment-seeking young autistic adults without intellectual impairment aged 16–30 years who presented to a mental health service and evaluated general health (distress, quality of life, and disability), functioning (work loss days and social functioning), and mood symptoms (depression, anxiety, and stress) in those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder ( n = 96). This group was compared to young adults presenting to the same service with primary mental health disorders (depression, n = 343; bipolar, n = 132; psychosis, n = 166; and anxiety, n = 303). This study also investigated the influence of mood symptoms on general health and functioning in the autism spectrum disorder group. Young autistic adults reported significant general health and functioning impairments that were of similar degree to those presenting with primary mental health disorders. Interestingly, the autistic group also reported similarly high levels of mood symptoms to those with primary depressive and anxiety disorders. In the autistic group, depressive symptoms were strongly associated with distress, quality of life, and work loss days, while stress symptoms were strongly associated with disability. This study highlights further research, and mental health services are required specifically targeting young autistic adults to address their significant unmet needs.

Motivations and Psychological Characteristics of Nondirected Uterus Donors From The Dallas UtErus Transplant Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 152692482110460
Author(s):  
Ann M. Warren ◽  
Kenleigh McMinn ◽  
Giuliano Testa ◽  
Anji Wall ◽  
Giovanna Saracino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Treatment Quality ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Uterus Transplantation ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Introduction Uterus transplantation has demonstrated success in clinical trials. Questions regarding how it should transition to a clinical procedure must be addressed. A critical element is an evidence regarding the psychological experiences of living uterus donors, especially donors who are nondirected (altruistic). Project aims To describe the motivations for donation, psychological characteristics, and mental health history of nondirected living uterus donors in the Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (NCT02656550). Design An observational design was used to evaluate 44 self-referred nondirected uterus donors for the uterus transplant program. The donors participated in a clinical interview with a licensed psychologist and completed assessment instruments for depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, health-related quality of life, and resilience at the time of evaluation. Results Among the 11 donors, the median age was 36 years, 10 were married, 10 were of non-Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and all had given birth (median of 2 children). The most frequent motivations for the donation were to provide another woman with the opportunity to carry her own child and to contribute to science. No participants met clinical criteria for depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress but 4 reported current mental health conditions and 7 reported past or present treatment. Quality of life and resilience scores were above population norms. Conclusion Women selected as nondirected uterus donors were motivated to help other women experience carrying their own child and to contribute to science. A minority of women reported mental health conditions and/or treatment, and this was determined not to exclude participation with uterus donation.

scholarly journals Prevalence of binge drinking and its association with mental health conditions and quality of life in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 106114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Ying Lee ◽  
Peizhi Wang ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Sherilyn Chang ◽  
Saleha Shafie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions
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