Suicidality in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Zahid, Sofia; Upthegrove, Rachel

doi:10.1027/0227-5910/a000458

Cited by 91 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Rates of depression and suicidal ideation in the present study were much higher than in the general population (e.g., 9.5% for depression and 7.6% for suicidal ideation; Casey et al., ). These results confirm that depression and suicidal ideation are significant problems facing people with ASD (Cassidy et al., ; Hirvikoski et al., ; Raja, ; Segers & Rawana, ; Uljarević et al, ; Zahid & Upthegrove, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…People with ASD have a significantly increased risk of suicidal ideation and behavior when compared to the general population, and suicide is a leading cause of premature death in this population (Cassidy et al., ; Hedley & Uljarević, ; Hirvikoski et al., ; Raja, ; Segers & Rawana, ; Zahid & Upthegrove, ). However, the factors contributing to such an alarming frequency of suicide are not well understood (Hedley & Uljarević, ; Segers & Rawana, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Co‐morbid mental health conditions are common in individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across all age groups (Ghaziuddin, Weidmer‐Mikhail, & Ghaziuddin, ; Howlin, ; Kim, Szatmari, Bryson, Streiner, & Wilson, ; Lever & Geurts, ; Simonoff et al., ), and mood disorders may affect up to half of individuals with ASD at some stage in their life (Hofvander et al., ; Wigham, Barton, Parr, & Rodgers, ). Furthermore, people with ASD are at significant risk of suicidal ideation and behavior (Raja, ; Segers & Rawana, ) and although the topic has received some attention in the literature, research in this area is limited (Hedley & Uljarević, ; Zahid & Upthegrove, ). Suicidal ideation in recently diagnosed individuals in the United Kingdom ( M age = 31.5, SD = 10.9 years, range = 17–67) was significantly higher than the general population (odds ratio 9.6, P < .0001) (Cassidy et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interventions aimed at reducing suicidal risk in ASD will require a comprehensive understanding of both risk and protective factors (Kleiman & Liu, ). Although research exploring specific risk factors for suicidal behavior in ASD is starting to emerge, the identification of potential protective factors remains largely unexplored (Hedley & Uljarević, ; Segers & Rawana, ; Zahid & Upthegrove, ). It is thus imperative that researchers reveal risk and protective mechanisms underlying increased suicidal risk in this population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at significantly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Given that social difficulties in ASD often lead to social isolation, which can in turn increase the risk for depression, this study examined loneliness and social support as potential risk and protective factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation. Method The sample comprised 185 people (92 females) with ASD aged 14 to 80 years who were participating in a national survey. Results Forty‐nine percent of participants returned scores in the clinical range for depression and 36% reported recent suicidal ideation. Females, comprising almost 50% of the sample, returned higher depression scores than males, however no differences were identified between males and females in terms of suicidal ideation. Regression analyses revealed that loneliness, satisfaction with social support, and ASD traits predicted depression scores. Satisfaction with social support predicted suicidal ideation, however, it was no longer a significant predictor after the effects of depression were taken into account. Path analysis showed that ASD trait severity was independently related to depression, that the effect of number of social supports on depression was mediated by loneliness and satisfaction with social support, and that effects of loneliness and satisfaction with social support on suicidal ideation were mediated by depression. The pattern of relationships was nearly identical for males and females. Conclusions This study supports a model whereby loneliness and social support operate respectively as protective and risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in ASD.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Instead, modified cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is promising in reducing anxiety in the autistic population (Weston et al, 2016). If an SSRI is to be prescribed, clinicians need to start with a low dose, exercise caution and watch for the known higher risk of behavioural activation side effects (eg, increased energy/activity, impulsivity, disinhibition, insomnia) (Vasa et al, 2016).Increased suicidal risk has been reported in autistic youth and adults across different countries (Cassidy and Rodgers, 2017, Chen et al, 2017, Segers and Rawana, 2014, Zahid and Upthegrove, 2017 and should be assessed with a view to intervention.Self-injurious behaviours are common, especially in those with intellectual disabilities, OSF preprint first posted online July 19, 2018; https://dx.doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/8z5rvThe copyright holders for this preprint (which was not peer-reviewed) are the authors There are also limited prospective longitudinal studies examining the risk and protective factors for health concerns across the lifespan, but available studies suggest within-family (parental) stress (Simonoff et al, 2013, Zaidman-Zait et al, 2014 and autistic individuals' adverse experiences (eg, bullying, or being rejected) (Cage et al, 2018, Hoover and Kaufman, 2018) predict poorer health and functional outcomes.Enhancing the individual's ability to cope with stress and reducing unhelpful stress load should be integral to minimizing health challenges and enhancing resilience in autistic OSF preprint first posted online July 19, 2018; https://dx.doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/8z5rvThe copyright holders for this preprint (which was not peer-reviewed) are the authors individuals (Lai and Baron-Cohen, 2015, Szatmari, 2018). A promising avenue is the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction in autistic individuals, for which initial data suggest a positive impact of reducing anxiety, depression and rumination and enhancing wellbeing across individuals of different ages (Cachia et al, 2016).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan: Maximizing potential, minimizing barriers, and optimizing the person-environment fit

Lai¹,

Anagnostou²,

Wiznitzer³

et al. 2018

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autism is both a medical condition that can give rise to disability and an example of human neurological variation ('neurodiversity') that contributes to identity, with cognitive assets and challenges. We refer to this as the dual nature of autism. Enhancing adaptation and wellbeing is the ultimate goal for intervention/support. Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan is emerging. Support should be collaborative between autistic individuals, their families, and service providers, taking a shared decision-making approach. To maximize the individual's potential, comprehensive early intervention and parent-mediated intervention, ideally taking a naturalistic approach, may help support the early development of adaptive, cognitive and language skills. Key words: autism, support, intervention, treatment, adaptation, development, lifespan, health, disability, neurodiversity OSF preprint first posted online July 19, 2018; https://dx.doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/8z5rv The copyright holders for this preprint (which was not peer-reviewed) are the authors Lai et al. (2018) Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan 3The duality of autism Autism spectrum disorder/conditions (ASD or ASC (Lai and Baron-Cohen, 2015), henceforth 'autism') are atypical neurodevelopmental conditions that emerge early in life (Varcin and Jeste, 2017), with strong genetic aetiologies (Tick et al., 2016) shaped by subsequent gene-environmental interplays (Mandy and Lai, 2016). Autism has lifespan impact on an individual's development and adaptation (Howlin and Magiati, 2017). As a result of evolving diagnostic concepts, recognition of the spectrum and its multi-subgroup nature (Lai et al., 2013), along with increased awareness (Liu et al., 2010), autismformerly regarded as rare -is now considered relatively common. Globally, close to 1% of the population has a formal autism diagnosis (Baxter et al., 2015). In developed countries the prevalence is close to 1·5% (Lyall et al., 2017), with a male:female ratio of 3-4:1 (Loomes et al., 2017).Characteristics associated with autism (ie, 'autistic traits') fall along a spectrum in the general population across dimensions of social-communication, repetitive and stereotyped behaviours, and other non-clinical and cognitive features (Constantino et al., 2010, Ruzich et al., 2015, Skuse et al., 2009. Elevated autistic traits are particularly common in family members of people who have an autism diagnosis (Pickles et al., 2000, Piven et al., 1997, Wheelwright et al., 2010. Both clinical autism and the dimensional traits are associated with the additive effect of common and rare genetic variations (Geschwind and State, 2015, Robinson et al., 2016, Weiner et al., 2017, although their exact causal roles remain unclear.The dimensional nature of autistic traits makes it challenging to draw a clear diagnostic line, especially when genetic or other diagnostic biomarkers are not yet available (Constantino and Charman, 2016). From a medical perspective, a clinical diagnosi...

show abstract

Assessment of Suicidal Behaviors Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Denmark

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IMPORTANCE There is limited evidence supporting an association of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with suicidality and the risk factors for suicide attempt and suicide among people with ASD.Existing research highlights the need for national cohort studies.OBJECTIVES To analyze whether people with ASD have higher rates of suicide attempt and suicide compared with people without ASD using national register data, identify potential risk factors for suicide attempt and suicide among those with ASD, and examine associations with comorbid disorders.

show abstract

Suicidality in Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Cited by 91 publications

References 28 publications

Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Evidence-based support for autistic people across the lifespan: Maximizing potential, minimizing barriers, and optimizing the person-environment fit

Assessment of Suicidal Behaviors Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Denmark

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About