1. Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents with ASD Completing the PEERS® Social Skills Intervention
- Author
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Brianna Yund, Alana J. McVey, Amy Vaughan Van Hecke, Christina Caiozzo, Audrey M. Carson, Bridget K. Dolan, Hillary K. Schiltz, Kirsten S. Willar, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Sheryl Pleiss, and Jeffrey S. Karst
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,genetic structures ,Autism Spectrum Disorder ,behavioral disciplines and activities ,Article ,Peer Group ,Social Skills ,03 medical and health sciences ,Interpersonal relationship ,0302 clinical medicine ,Social skills ,mental disorders ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,medicine ,Humans ,Interpersonal Relations ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,Child ,Social Behavior ,Psychiatry ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Depression ,05 social sciences ,Socialization ,medicine.disease ,Mental health ,Comorbidity ,Adolescent Behavior ,Autism spectrum disorder ,Autism ,Female ,Self Report ,Psychology ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,050104 developmental & child psychology ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Depression is a common concern among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is often associated with social skills and relationship challenges. The present data, from a randomized controlled trial, examined the effect of PEERS(®) on self-reported depressive symptoms via the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) among forty-nine adolescents with ASD. Findings revealed that many CDI subscale scores declined (p’s < 0.05) and were related to direct social contact on the Quality of Socialization Questionnaire at posttest (p’s < 0.05). Exploratory analyses uncovered that suicidality was less evident following PEERS(®). Findings support the notion that social functioning and depression may be intimately intertwined in ASD; therefore, bolstering social skills in ASD may positively influence other domains of functioning, including mental health.
- Published
- 2017
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