Unrelenting Depression and Suicidality in Women with Autistic Traits

Keywords

Autism, Autistic traits, Females, Women, Suicidal thoughts and behaviors, Suicide, Depression, Flexibility

Abstract

Understanding the cognitive and emotional mechanisms that link autistic traits and risk for suicide is a vital next step for research and clinical practice. This study included a broad sample of adult women (n=74) who report finding social situations confusing and/or exhausting, and who score high on measures of autistic traits. Regardless of autism diagnostic status, these women reported high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Depression symptoms were more associated with suicidality than were autistic trait measures of social communication. Measures of neurotypical “imagination” and of repetitive behavior likewise were associated with suicidality risk. Simultaneously feeling sad and feeling stuck or unable to imagine alternate strategies, may uniquely increase suicide risk in autism.

Original Publication Citation

South, M., Beck, J.S., *Lundwall, R.*Christensen, M., Cutrer, E.A., Gabrielsen, T.P. . . . Lundwall, R.A. (2020) Unrelenting depression and suicidality in women with autistic traits. J Autism Dev Disord doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04324-2

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2020

Publisher

Springer Nature Link

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Counseling Psychology and Special Education

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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