Autistic traits and emotional experiences in Chinese college students: Mediating role of emotional regulation and sex differences

Abstract

BackgroundStudies conducted in Western cultures showed that maladaptive use of emotion regulation (ER) leads to emotional problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the extent of the association between these characteristics of ASD and autistic traits (ATs) in the general population is still unclear, since the frequency and output of ER may be different in Eastern and Western cultures. Moreover, sex plays an important role in ASD-related emotional functions and ER. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the associations between ATs, ER, and emotions in Eastern cultures, as well as the possible moderating role of sex in the relationships between them. MethodsIn total, 558 (304 females) participants completed questionnaires, assessing their ATs, ER strategies (reappraisal and suppression), and positive/negative emotional experiences. Spearman correlation and moderating and mediation effects analyses were conducted. ResultsATs directly predicted reduced positive emotions and increased negative emotions, and indirectly predicted increased non-adaptability of emotional experiences by limiting reappraisal. A sex-specific influence pattern was also revealed: ATs in females further strengthens negative emotions by increasing the frequency of using suppression. ConclusionsIn this study of using a sample from an eastern culture, the results revealed (1) the mediating role of reappraisal and suppression in the relationship between ATs and emotional experiences and (2) females’ greater susceptibility to the negative impacts of ATs on emotions. These findings provide preliminary evidence for understanding sex differences in AT-related emotional functions, which may have implications for emotional interventions for individuals with ASD and high ATs.