Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents with ASD Completing the PEERS® Social Skills Intervention. J Autism Dev Disord 2018 Mar;48(3):834-843
Date
11/23/2017Pubmed ID
29164445DOI
10.1007/s10803-017-3396-6Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85034663220 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 30 CitationsAbstract
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 49 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.
Author List
Schiltz HK, McVey AJ, Dolan BK, Willar KS, Pleiss S, Karst JS, Carson AM, Caiozzo C, Vogt EM, Yund BD, Van Hecke AVAuthors
Jeffrey S. Karst PhD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinAmy Van Hecke PhD Professor in the Psychology department at Marquette University
Elisabeth M. Vogt PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdolescentAdolescent Behavior
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child
Depression
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Peer Group
Self Report
Social Behavior
Social Skills
