Are autistic traits associated with suicidality? A test of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide in a non‐clinical young adult sample

Pelton, Mirabel; Cassidy, Sarah

doi:10.1002/aur.1828

Cited by 97 publications

(125 citation statements)

References 87 publications

(146 reference statements)

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“…Unemployment is common among individuals with ASD, and has been posited to relate to high rates of suicidal behavior [e.g., Pelton & Cassidy, 2017]. Thus, it is notable that approximately half (49%) of the individuals with ASD who completed suicide in our sample were listed on their death certificate to either have an occupation or be a student (an additional 40% had no data).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Culpin et al [] recently identified a significant relationship between social communication impairments and suicidal intent among over 5,000 youth in the U.K. (adjusted RR = 2.14, P = 0.004). In a sample of 163 young adults in the U.K., Pelton and Cassidy [] also found that self‐reported autistic traits predicted suicidal behavior in mediation models, with significant indirect effects found through both perceived burdensomeness ( P = 0.001) and thwarted belonging ( P = 0.001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A 20‐year study of suicide death in a statewide autism population

et al. 2019

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Scientific Summary Growing concern about suicide risk among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) necessitates population‐based research to determine rates in representative samples and to inform appropriate prevention efforts. This study used existing surveillance data in Utah to determine incidence of suicide among individuals with ASD over a 20‐year period, and to characterize those who died. Between 1998 and 2017, 49 individuals with ASD died by suicide. Suicide cumulative incidence rates did not significantly differ between 1998 and 2012 across the ASD and non‐ASD populations. Between 2013 and 2017, the cumulative incidence of suicide in the ASD population was 0.17%, which was significantly higher than in the non‐ASD population (0.11%; P < 0.05). During this period, this difference was driven by suicide among females with ASD; suicide risk in females with ASD was over three times higher than in females without ASD (relative risk (RR): 3.42; P < 0.01). Among the individuals with ASD who died by suicide, average age at death and manner of death did not differ significantly between males and females. Ages at death by suicide ranged from 14 to 70 years ( M [SD] = 32.41[15.98]). Individuals with ASD were significantly less likely to use firearms as a method of suicide (adjusted odds ratio: 0.33; P < 0.001). Study results expand understanding of suicide risk in ASD and point to the need for additional population‐based research into suicide attempts and ideation, as well as exploration of additional risk factors. Findings also suggest a need for further study of female suicide risk in ASD. Autism Research 2019, 12: 658–666 . © 2019 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary This study examined suicide risk among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Utah over a 20‐year period. Risk of suicide death in individuals with ASD was found to have increased over time and to be greater than in individuals without ASD between 2013 and 2017. Females with ASD were over three times as likely to die from suicide as females without ASD. Young people with ASD were at over twice the risk of suicide than young people without ASD. Individuals with ASD were less likely than others to die from firearm‐related suicides.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 20‐year study of suicide death in a statewide autism population

et al. 2019

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“…Uljarević et al, ]. Using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a self‐reported instrument for the assessment of ASD traits in adults with normal intelligence [Baron‐Cohen, Wheelwright, Skinner, Martin, & Clubley, ], trait severity has also been identified as a predictor of negative mental health, including suicidal behavior [Pelton & Cassidy, ], poor coping and lower quality of life [Pisula, Danielewicz, Kawa, & Pisula, ], depression [Salehzadeh, Nasiri, Barin, & Roshan, ], and social anxiety [Lamport & Zlomke, ] in non‐ASD populations.…”

Section: Predictors Of Mental Health and Well‐beingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of mental health and well‐being in employed adults with autism spectrum disorder at 12‐month follow‐up

et al. 2019

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People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) commonly experience poor outcomes in adulthood. Previous research on adult outcomes has focused on negative aspects of health and well‐being, while positive well‐being remains understudied. The current study charted 12‐month change in daily living skills, job satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and positive well‐being in 36 (32 male) newly employed adults with ASD aged 18 to 57 years who were participating in a supported employment program. There was a small increase in daily living skills, and a slight decrease in job satisfaction, with all other measures remaining stable over time. Regression analyses revealed that, controlling for baseline depression, positive well‐being negatively predicted depression at follow‐up. No significant predictors of anxiety were identified. Social support and depression at baseline were associated with positive well‐being at follow‐up; however, they were no longer significant predictors after the effects of baseline positive well‐being were taken into account. The findings provide evidence that positive well‐being may buffer against depression in people with ASD. Our finding of stability of mental health and well‐being measures over time indicates more research is required to uncover the mechanisms underpinning mental health and well‐being outcomes in employed adults with ASD. Autism Res 2019, 12: 482–494 © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary People with autism commonly experience poor outcomes in adulthood. We studied mental health and well‐being in newly employed adults with autism who were participating in a supported employment program. Apart from a slight increase in daily living skills and a slight decrease in job satisfaction, other measures of mental health and well‐being remained stable over time. Our findings suggest that positive well‐being may protect against symptoms of depression in people with autism.

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“…Previous work indicates that ASD-related traits are associated with increased suicide risk (Pelton & Cassidy, 2017), and specifically that military service members with elevated autism symptoms may be at especially high risk for suicide (Stanley et al, 2020). Past work also indicates that unit cohesion may serve as a protective factor among the general military population (Mitchell et al, 2012), but this relationship has not been evaluated in the context of ASD-related traits.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there is also evidence that subclinical manifestations of ASD that are present in the general population, or ASD-related traits, are also associated with increased risk for suicide. For example, there is a demonstrated direct relationship between greater severity of ASD-related traits and global suicide risk (Pelton & Cassidy, 2017). There is also evidence that those with ASD-related traits may have suicidal symptoms comparable to those with ASD.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the interaction of autism spectrum disorder-related traits and unit cohesion on suicide risk among military personnel

Gallyer

Stanley

Day

et al. 2020

Journal of Affective Disorders

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Background: Suicide rates are elevated among United States (U.S.) military service members. Research has found that service members with autism spectrum disorder-related (ASD-related) traits are at increased risk for suicide. Complementary lines of inquiry have suggested that unit cohesion is a protective factor against developing suicidal ideation in military service members. However, given the social difficulties inherent in ASD, it is unclear whether unit cohesion might protect against suicide risk in this population. Method: Our sample consisted of 285 active duty U.S. military service members recruited online. We examined the interaction between ASD-related traits (as measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), unit cohesion, and suicide risk (as measured by the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised [SBQ-R]). We also conducted exploratory analyses to examine whether unit cohesion attenuates the association between ASD-related traits and suicidal intent. Results: Elevated ASD-related traits were independently associated with higher levels of global suicide risk; however, unit cohesion was not independently associated with suicide risk. Unit cohesion did not significantly interact with ASD-related traits to predict suicide risk. Finally, we found that elevated ASD-related traits and unit cohesion have an independent effect on current suicidal intent. Discussion: Our findings suggest that unit cohesion might not buffer the effect of ASD-related traits on suicide risk. However, our results do show that greater unit cohesion may be independently associated with decreased suicidal intent. This study is limited by a cross-sectional design and use of self-report measures.

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Are autistic traits associated with suicidality? A test of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide in a non‐clinical young adult sample

Cited by 97 publications

References 87 publications

A 20‐year study of suicide death in a statewide autism population

A 20‐year study of suicide death in a statewide autism population

Predictors of mental health and well‐being in employed adults with autism spectrum disorder at 12‐month follow‐up

Examining the interaction of autism spectrum disorder-related traits and unit cohesion on suicide risk among military personnel

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