Corbett Blythe A, Muscatello Rachael A, Klemencic Mark E, Schwartzman Jessica M
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Autism Res. 2021 Jul;14(7):1496-1511. doi: 10.1002/aur.2521. Epub 2021 Apr 29.
In the wake of COVID-19, the world has become a more uncertain environment-a breeding ground for stress and anxiety, especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study examined stress, anxiety, and coping in a data-driven, real-time assessment of 122 youth with and without ASD and their parents at the height of the COVID-19 shutdown and three-months later. Standardized measures were administered to ascertain stress and coping explicitly related to the pandemic (RSQ COVID-19-Child [self-report], Adult [self-report from the guardian of youth], Parent [report about child]) and anxiety (STAI-C, STAI-A). Multivariate, univariate analyses of variance and hierarchical regression were used. ASD youth endorsed more Trait anxiety and response to specific stressors (e.g., virus). Caregivers of youth with ASD (Adults) self-reported higher anxiety, yet scores were elevated for both groups. Adults of youth with ASD reported more stress, especially related to the virus, access to healthcare, and concern for the future. In the TD group, youth and adults used more Primary and Secondary Control Coping whereas ASD youth and adults used more Disengagement Coping. Adult stress was the primary predictor of parent perception of child stress as well as Child self-reported stress. While the ASD group was consistently high compared to the TD group, there were no significant changes over time for stress or anxiety. Results reveal striking differences in youth with ASD and their parents regarding stress, anxiety, and coping. Findings highlight the need for essential support, access to services, and strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well-being. LAY SUMMARY: This study examined stress, anxiety, and coping related to the COVID-19 pandemic in 61 youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 61 youth with typical development (TD) and their parents. Results showed that ASD youth reported more anxiety and stress. Adults of youth with ASD indicated higher self-reported anxiety and stress than adults of TD youth. TD youth and their parents reported using more adaptive coping strategies. Findings highlight the need for strategies to enhance psychological and emotional well-being.
在新冠疫情之后，世界变得更加不确定——成为压力和焦虑的滋生地，尤其是对于患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的个体而言。该研究在新冠疫情封锁最严重时期及三个月后，对122名患有和未患有ASD的青少年及其父母进行了数据驱动的实时评估，考察了压力、焦虑和应对方式。采用标准化测量工具来明确确定与疫情相关的压力和应对方式（RSQ新冠-儿童[自我报告]、成人[青少年监护人的自我报告]、父母[关于孩子的报告]）以及焦虑程度（状态-特质焦虑量表儿童版、状态-特质焦虑量表成人版）。使用了多变量、单变量方差分析和层次回归分析。患有ASD的青少年表现出更多的特质焦虑以及对特定压力源（如病毒）的反应。患有ASD青少年的照顾者（成人）自我报告的焦虑程度更高，但两组的得分均有所升高。患有ASD青少年的成人报告了更多压力，尤其是与病毒、获得医疗保健以及对未来的担忧相关的压力。在发育正常组（TD组）中，青少年和成人更多地使用主要和次要控制应对方式，而患有ASD的青少年和成人则更多地使用脱离应对方式。成人的压力是父母对孩子压力的感知以及孩子自我报告压力的主要预测因素。虽然与TD组相比，ASD组的压力和焦虑水平一直较高，但随着时间推移，压力或焦虑并无显著变化。结果揭示了患有ASD的青少年及其父母在压力、焦虑和应对方式方面存在显著差异。研究结果凸显了提供必要支持、获得服务以及采取策略来增强心理和情绪健康的必要性。
本研究考察了61名患有自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的青少年、61名发育正常（TD）的青少年及其父母与新冠疫情相关的压力、焦虑和应对方式。结果显示，患有ASD的青少年报告了更多的焦虑和压力。患有ASD青少年的成人自我报告的焦虑和压力高于TD组青少年的成人。TD组青少年及其父母报告使用了更多适应性应对策略。研究结果凸显了采取策略来增强心理和情绪健康的必要性。
