Evaluating the latent structure of the non-social domain of autism in autistic adults

Autor: Anke M. Scheeren, Sander Begeer, Ricarda F. Weiland, Rachel Grove, Rosa A. Hoekstra
Přispěvatelé: Clinical Developmental Psychology, APH - Mental Health, APH - Methodology, Biological Psychology
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Autism-spectrum quotient
Adult
Male
Adolescent
media_common.quotation_subject
Autism
Repetitive behaviours
behavioral disciplines and activities
Structural equation modeling
lcsh:RC346-429
Developmental psychology
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
0302 clinical medicine
Developmental Neuroscience
Perception
mental disorders
medicine
Humans
Adults
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Autistic Disorder
Molecular Biology
lcsh:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
media_common
Aged
1103 Clinical Sciences
1109 Neurosciences
Aged
80 and over
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Research
05 social sciences
Neuropsychology
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Exploratory factor analysis
Confirmatory factor analysis
Psychiatry and Mental health
Female
Construct (philosophy)
Psychology
Non-social autistic traits
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
050104 developmental & child psychology
Developmental Biology
Zdroj: Molecular Autism, 12(1):22, 1-13. BioMed Central
Molecular Autism
Molecular Autism, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021)
Grove, R, Begeer, S, Scheeren, A M, Weiland, R F & Hoekstra, R A 2021, ' Evaluating the latent structure of the non-social domain of autism in autistic adults ', Molecular Autism, vol. 12, no. 1, 22, pp. 1-13 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-020-00401-x
ISSN: 2040-2392
Popis: Background The social domain of autism has been studied in depth, but the relationship between the non-social traits of autism has received less attention. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines four criteria that make up the non-social domain including repetitive motor movements, insistence on sameness, restricted interests and sensory sensitivity. There is a lack of research into the relationship between these four criteria. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the non-social traits of autism in a large sample of autistic adults. It explored whether these traits are best conceptualised as four distinct factors, or exist along a single dimension. Methods Participants included autistic adults from the Netherlands Autism Register. The four components identified within the DSM-5 non-social domain were measured by items from the Adult Routines Inventory, the Autism Spectrum Quotient short and the Sensory Perception Quotient short. Confirmatory factor analysis, as well as exploratory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modelling, was implemented to examine the relationship between these four criteria. Results Results indicated that a four-factor model provided the best fit, mapping onto the DSM-5 criteria. These four factors were moderately correlated, suggesting that four distinct, yet related factors best describe the non-social domain of autism. The one-factor model did not provide a good fit, highlighting that the non-social domain of autism is not a unitary construct. Limitations The study included autistic adults who were cognitively able to complete the self-report measures. This may limit the generalisability of the findings to those who are less able to do so. Conclusions This study provided evidence for the multidimensional nature of the non-social domain of autism. Given only two of the four criteria within the non-social domain need to be endorsed for a diagnosis of autism, there is room for substantial variation across individuals, who will have a unique profile within the non-social domain. The results have implications for our understanding of the heterogeneous nature of autistic traits, as well as for how we conceptualise autism as a diagnostic category. This is important for the provision of diagnosis and support within research and clinical practice.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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