Exploring the role of autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology on mentalising ability in the general population.

Autor: Fithall K; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Gray IE; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Linardon J; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Phillipou A; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Orygen, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Department of Mental Health, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.; Department of Mental Health, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia., Donaldson PH; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Albein-Urios N; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Enticott PG; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia., Kirkovski M; School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia. Melissa.kirkovski@vu.edu.au.; Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Melissa.kirkovski@vu.edu.au.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC psychology [BMC Psychol] 2023 Sep 06; Vol. 11 (1), pp. 269. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Sep 06.
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01306-z
Abstrakt: Background: This study evaluated the role of overlapping traits and characteristics related to autism spectrum disorder (autism) and anorexia nervosa (AN) in the general population, and the impact of these traits on mentalising ability.
Methods: A sample of young adults (N = 306), aged 18-25 years, was recruited to complete an online study that consisted of 4 measures: the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Mentalization Scale, and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes task.
Results: Higher levels of autistic traits, particularly difficulty with attention switching, were associated with increased eating disorder psychopathology. Overall, autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology were related among females, but not males. Difficulty with attention switching, however, was related to eating disorder psychopathology among both females and males. Autistic traits also appear to have a greater role in mentalising ability than does eating disorder psychopathology.
Conclusion: The role of attention switching in overlapping traits of autism and eating disorder psychopathology needs to be more comprehensively evaluated by future research, as does the role of biological sex. Expanded knowledge in this field will help to better understand and evaluate symptoms at presentation, leading to clearer diagnoses and potentially better treatment outcomes.
(© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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