A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Korean Version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for Young Adults (PEERS®-YA-K) With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Evidence-based social skills interventions for young adults are limited, despite social difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) persisting after transition to adulthood. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for Young Adults (PEERS®-YA) is an evidence-based intervention found to be effective in improving relational skills in young adults with ASD. To translate the original American version of the PEERS®-YA treatment manual into Korean, intensive interviews were performed. Based on results from interviews, several rules of dating etiquette and social activities were modified to be culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate. Next, young adults diagnosed with ASD (18–35 years of age; IQ > 70) and their social coaches were recruited for the randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants were randomly assigned either to a treatment group (TG; n = 19) or a delayed treatment group (DTG; n = 18). In the analysis of group differences in the TG and DTG, social skills knowledge was improved. The within group analyses showed positive effects of improving social skills knowledge on reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. After modest cultural adaptations focusing on dating and social activities, the implementation of the PEERS®-YA-K was found feasible for the Korean community. This is one of only a few cross-cultural validation trials establishing evidence-based treatment in young adults with ASD.Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03310775.

Mood and Emotional Changes After PEERS® Program in Parents of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Therefore, individuals with ASD who are more aware of their problems may experience severe mental health symptoms. Studies applying PEERS ® to individuals with ASD and high levels of functioning have confirmed improved social function and mental health symptoms [ 4 , 5 , 26 ].…”

“…This study analyzed the data of parents who participated in an RCT of the PEERS ® -YA-K [ 5 ]. Among the 64 participants, 23 mothers and 4 fathers participated as social coaches.…”

“…Furthermore, 24 mothers with a mean age of 53.5 years (SD±4.41 years) and 22 fathers with a mean age of 56.1 years (SD±4.78 years) completed the self-report scales, including the Test of Young Adult Social Skills Knowledge (TYASSK), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Symptom Check-List-90-R (SCL-90-R). The scales were administered before the program and 16 weeks and 4 months after the program ended (refer to the RCT for the overall process of PEERS ® -YA-K and the study protocol [ 5 ]). The study procedure, including informed consent, recruitment, and participation procedures, was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (IRB no.…”

“…Several studies have verified that this program helps individuals with ASD improve their overall social skills. In Korea, two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have verified the program’s effects [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Program for education and enrichment of relational skills (PEERS) training for social skills and depressed mood intervention in young adult with depression: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Teaching ecologically effective skills to nurture and maintain friendships using psycho-educational and cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques ( 35 ). PEERS training has been successively introduced and updated locally in Korea ( 36 ), Japan ( 37 ), Israel ( 38 ), the Netherlands ( 39 ), and Hong Kong ( 40 ), with good results in local ASD patients ( 41 ). Patients with ASD are often accompanied by depression, anxiety, intellectual disability, attention deficit, and other psychiatric comorbidities.…”