Emotion regulation as a mediator between depressive symptoms and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults with ASD and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

BackgroundDepressive symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are common. Transdiagnostic factors as executive functions and emotional regulation strategies can explain the relationship between depressive symptoms and ASD. Method121 adults (M = 35.46 years, SD = 9.46) with ASD and intellectual disabilities (ID) were evaluated to determine the predictive and mediating role of executive functioning and emotional regulation strategies. ResultsTransdiagnostic variables related to emotion regulation correlated with depressive symptoms; however, executive dysfunction was not associated with depression. Hierarchical linear regression showed emotional regulation strategies were a predictor of depression. A multiple mediation analysis also supported the mediating role of emotional regulation variables between ASD and depression. ConclusionThese findings suggest that emotional regulation (ER) strategies can play an important role in the genesis and development of depressive symptomatology in adults with ASD.