Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the co-occurrence of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, the clinical significance of this on outcomes such as depression and suicidal thinking has not been explored. This study examines the association of autism spectrum traits, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in individuals with psychotic experiences. In two cross sectional studies, individuals from a non-help seeking university student sample and patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) service completed standardized measures of autism spectrum traits, psychotic experiences, depressive symptoms and suicidal thinking. In healthy non-help seeking students, increased autism traits and increased subclinical psychotic experiences were significantly associated with depressive symptoms; a significant interaction effect suggests their combined presence has a greater impact on depression. In FEP, high autism traits and positive symptoms were associated with increased depression, hopelessness and suicidality, however there was no significant interaction effect. In FEP a multiple mediation model revealed that the relationship between autism traits and risk for suicidality was mediated through hopelessness. Young people with subclinical psychotic experiences and all patients with FEP should be screened for autism spectrum traits, which may have significant impact on clinical outcomes. Tailored interventions for patients with high levels of autistic spectrum co-morbidities in FEP should be a priority for future research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 80-85 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Schizophrenia Research |
| Volume | 195 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2018 |
Fingerprint
Cite this
}
Autism and psychosis : Clinical implications for depression and suicide. / Upthegrove, Rachel; Abu-Akel, Ahmad; Chisholm, Katharine; Lin, Ashleigh; Zahid, Sofia; Pelton, Mirabel; Apperly, Ian; Hansen, Peter C.; Wood, Stephen J.
In: Schizophrenia Research, Vol. 195, 01.05.2018, p. 80-85.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Autism and psychosis
T2 - Clinical implications for depression and suicide
AU - Upthegrove, Rachel
AU - Abu-Akel, Ahmad
AU - Chisholm, Katharine
AU - Lin, Ashleigh
AU - Zahid, Sofia
AU - Pelton, Mirabel
AU - Apperly, Ian
AU - Hansen, Peter C.
AU - Wood, Stephen J.
PY - 2018/5/1
Y1 - 2018/5/1
N2 - There is increasing recognition of the co-occurrence of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, the clinical significance of this on outcomes such as depression and suicidal thinking has not been explored. This study examines the association of autism spectrum traits, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in individuals with psychotic experiences. In two cross sectional studies, individuals from a non-help seeking university student sample and patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) service completed standardized measures of autism spectrum traits, psychotic experiences, depressive symptoms and suicidal thinking. In healthy non-help seeking students, increased autism traits and increased subclinical psychotic experiences were significantly associated with depressive symptoms; a significant interaction effect suggests their combined presence has a greater impact on depression. In FEP, high autism traits and positive symptoms were associated with increased depression, hopelessness and suicidality, however there was no significant interaction effect. In FEP a multiple mediation model revealed that the relationship between autism traits and risk for suicidality was mediated through hopelessness. Young people with subclinical psychotic experiences and all patients with FEP should be screened for autism spectrum traits, which may have significant impact on clinical outcomes. Tailored interventions for patients with high levels of autistic spectrum co-morbidities in FEP should be a priority for future research.
AB - There is increasing recognition of the co-occurrence of autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, the clinical significance of this on outcomes such as depression and suicidal thinking has not been explored. This study examines the association of autism spectrum traits, depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviour in individuals with psychotic experiences. In two cross sectional studies, individuals from a non-help seeking university student sample and patients with first episode psychosis (FEP) service completed standardized measures of autism spectrum traits, psychotic experiences, depressive symptoms and suicidal thinking. In healthy non-help seeking students, increased autism traits and increased subclinical psychotic experiences were significantly associated with depressive symptoms; a significant interaction effect suggests their combined presence has a greater impact on depression. In FEP, high autism traits and positive symptoms were associated with increased depression, hopelessness and suicidality, however there was no significant interaction effect. In FEP a multiple mediation model revealed that the relationship between autism traits and risk for suicidality was mediated through hopelessness. Young people with subclinical psychotic experiences and all patients with FEP should be screened for autism spectrum traits, which may have significant impact on clinical outcomes. Tailored interventions for patients with high levels of autistic spectrum co-morbidities in FEP should be a priority for future research.
KW - Autism
KW - Autism spectrum disorders
KW - Depression
KW - Psychosis
KW - Schizophrenia
KW - Suicide
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85027724538&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.schres.2017.08.028
DO - 10.1016/j.schres.2017.08.028
M3 - Article
VL - 195
SP - 80
EP - 85
JO - Schizophrenia Research
JF - Schizophrenia Research
SN - 0920-9964
ER -