Abstract
Adolescents with high functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are highly vulnerable to depressive symptoms (DS) and a range of mental health problems compared to their typically developing peers. It is not known whether resilience can influence DS in adolescents with high functioning ASD. This study sought to find out the link between resilience and DS in a sample of adolescents with high functioning ASD in Nigeria. The study is a quantitative correlation study of in-school adolescents with high functioning ASD. 68 adolescents with high functioning ASD from 20 inclusive education schools participated in the study. Data were collected using self report versions of Child and Youth resilience Measure (CYRM-SR) and Children’s Depression Inventory second edition (CDI-2: SR). Findings showed that total resilience score is a strong negative predictor of DS in adolescents with high functioning ASD (B=-.93; β=-.77; t=-4.20; p=.000). Specifically, individual capacities subscale (B=-2.20; β=-.77;t=-8.39;p=.000), Primary caregivers resources subscale (B=-1.98; β=-.69; t=-7.49; p=.000); and Contextual factors subscale (B=-2.02; β=-.62; t=-8.38; p=.000) predicted overall depressive symptoms (Total DS score) negatively and significantly. It was concluded that DS among adolescents with high functioning ASD can be reduced through developing resilience skills among them. Parents, special Educators and all stakeholders should intensify efforts in building resilience in adolescents with high functioning ASD.
Highlights
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are increasing in prevalence and affect the greatest number of children and adolescents with Neuro-developmental disorders worldwide (Chinawa, Manyike, Aniwada, Chinawa, Obu, Odetunde, Nwokocha, & Ibekwe, 2016)
Poor social skills in AWASD results in reduced number of friendships, which are linked with the manifestation of depressive symptoms among adolescents with ASD (Schiltz et al, 2018)
Inclusion criteria included that i) the adolescent must have been formally diagnosed with ASD; ii) is in inclusive secondary school; iii) is with high functioning autism; iv) the individual is within the ages of 12 to 23 years
Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are increasing in prevalence and affect the greatest number of children and adolescents with Neuro-developmental disorders worldwide (Chinawa, Manyike, Aniwada, Chinawa, Obu, Odetunde, Nwokocha, & Ibekwe, 2016). Depression is one of the highest co morbid disorders of autism (Matson & Williams, 2013; Mazzone, Ruta, & Reale, 2012). Environmental threats, such as bullying (Cappadocia, Weiss, & Pepler, 2012), challenging academic experiences (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010), poor social relationships (Calder, Hill, & Pellicano, 2013), transition through developmental stages and stigma (Anderson, Sosnowy, Kuo, & Shattuck, 2018; Brede, Remington, Kenny, Warren, & Pellicano, 2017), tend to aggravate depressive conditions among ASD population. Poor social skills in AWASD results in reduced number of friendships, which are linked with the manifestation of depressive symptoms among adolescents with ASD (Schiltz et al, 2018). Poor cognitive abilities associated with lack of, or poor theory of mind (Bauminger, Solomon, & Rogers, 2010) and low verbal abilities tend to decrease peer relatedness, increase loneness and feeling of rejection, which collectively threaten their self-esteem (Schiltz et al, 2018)
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