Journal Article

Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents with ASD Completing the PEERS® Social Skills Intervention

Pleiss, Sheryl, Karst, Jeffrey S, Yund, Brianna D, Willar, Kirsten S, Dolan, Bridget K, McVey, Alana J, Schiltz, Hillary K, Caiozzo, Christina, Carson, Audrey M, Vogt, Elisabeth M, Amy Vaughan Van Hecke

2018

Overview

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.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Adolescents / Autism / Autism Spectrum Disorders / Bullying / Child Development / Child Role / Children / Clinical trials / Depression (Psychology) / Friendship / Intelligence Quotient / Interpersonal Competence / Job Skills / Mental depression / Mental disorders / Mental health / Peer Acceptance / Peer Groups / Peer Relationship / Peers / Questionnaires / Self destructive behavior / Self Esteem / Skills / Social contact / Social functioning / Social Responsibility / Social skills / Socialization / Suicide / Symptoms / Teenagers / Verbal Ability