Institute for Global Health Policy Research, Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan.
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2023 Apr;32(4):621-630. doi: 10.1007/s00787-021-01895-3. Epub 2021 Oct 25.
Adolescents with high autistic traits are at increased risk of depression. Despite the importance of seeking help for early intervention, evidence on help-seeking intentions amongst this population is scarce. Using a population-based cohort in Japan, we examined adolescents' help-seeking intentions and preferences by the level of autistic traits and tested its mediating role on the association between high autistic traits and depressive symptoms. At age 12, we measured parent-rated autistic traits using the short version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient and classified the adolescents into two groups (≥ 6 as AQhigh, < 6 as AQlow); help-seeking intentions and preferences were assessed through a depression vignette. At age 14, depressive symptoms were self-rated using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Hypothesised associations between autistic traits and help-seeking intentions or depressive symptoms were tested applying multivariable regression modelling, while mediation was tested with structural equation modelling. Of the 2505 adolescent participants, 200 (8%) were classified as AQhigh. In both groups, the main source of help-seeking was their family; however, 40% of the AQhigh group reported having no help-seeking intentions compared to 27% in the AQlow. The AQhigh group was at increased risk of not having help-seeking intentions (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.35-2.50) and higher depressive symptoms (b coefficient 1.06, 0.33-1.79). Help-seeking intentions mediated 18% of the association mentioned above. Interventions to promote help-seeking intentions among adolescents with high autistic traits could reduce their subsequent depressive symptoms. Ideally, such interventions should be provided prior to adolescence and with the involvement of their parents.
高自闭症特质的青少年患抑郁症的风险增加。尽管寻求帮助进行早期干预很重要，但针对该人群的求助意向证据很少。本研究使用日本的基于人群的队列，根据自闭症特质的水平，检查了青少年的求助意向和偏好，并检验了其在高自闭症特质与抑郁症状之间的关联中的中介作用。在 12 岁时，我们使用自闭症谱系商数的简短版本来衡量父母评定的自闭症特质，并将青少年分为两组（≥6 为 AQhigh，<6 为 AQlow）；通过抑郁个案来评估求助意向和偏好。在 14 岁时，青少年使用短期情绪和感觉问卷进行自我评估抑郁症状。通过多变量回归模型检验自闭症特质与求助意向或抑郁症状之间的假设关联，通过结构方程模型检验中介作用。在 2505 名青少年参与者中，有 200 名（8%）被归类为 AQhigh。在这两组中，主要的求助来源都是他们的家庭；然而，40%的 AQhigh 组表示没有求助意向，而 AQlow 组只有 27%。AQhigh 组更有可能没有求助意向（OR 1.84，95%CI 1.35-2.50）和更高的抑郁症状（b 系数 1.06，0.33-1.79）。求助意向介导了上述关联的 18%。针对高自闭症特质青少年的促进求助意向的干预措施可能会降低他们随后的抑郁症状。理想情况下，此类干预措施应在青春期之前进行，并让其父母参与其中。
