Is reduced social competence a mechanism linking elevated autism spectrum symptoms with increased risk for social anxiety?

Stark, Chani; Groves, Nicole B; Kofler, Michael

doi:10.1111/bjc.12398

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…Conversely, it is also possible that children’s increasing autism-related social-communication difficulties during middle childhood contribute to the emergence of their mental health challenges. Elevated autism symptoms, and specifically difficulties in the area of social skills, have been associated with (Spain et al, 2018) and suggested to lead to (Bellini, 2006; Stark et al, 2022) elevated levels of social anxiety. Moreover, this link may be moderated by reduced social competence (Stark et al, 2022) as well as children’s cognitive ability (Sukhodolsky et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Elevated autism symptoms, and specifically difficulties in the area of social skills, have been associated with (Spain et al, 2018) and suggested to lead to (Bellini, 2006; Stark et al, 2022) elevated levels of social anxiety. Moreover, this link may be moderated by reduced social competence (Stark et al, 2022) as well as children’s cognitive ability (Sukhodolsky et al, 2008). For children with typical-range IQ, having anxiety is associated with greater impairment in social reciprocity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Higher autism symptom severity has been associated with higher levels of emotional and behavioral problems (Colvert et al, 2021; Jang & Matson, 2015; Lindor et al, 2019; Simonoff et al, 2019), as well as clinically significant ADHD symptoms (Avni et al, 2018; Colvert et al, 2021; Hollingdale et al, 2019; Zachor & Ben-Itzchak, 2019) and higher levels of social anxiety (Stark et al, 2022). Evaluating core symptom domains independently, similar associations emerge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in the severity of autism symptom domains are related to mental health challenges during middle childhood

Waizbard-Bartov,

Ferrer,

Heath

et al. 2023

Autism

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Many autistic children experience changes in core symptom severity across middle childhood, when co-occurring mental health conditions emerge. We evaluated this relationship in 75 autistic children from 6 to 11 years old. Autism symptom severity change was evaluated for total autism symptoms using the autism diagnostic observation schedule calibrated severity score, as well as social-communication symptoms calibrated severity score, and restricted/repetitive behaviors calibrated severity score. Children were grouped based on their symptom severity change patterns. Mental health symptoms (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, disruptive behavior problems) were assessed via parental interview and questionnaire and compared across the groups. Co-occurring mental health symptoms were more strongly associated with change in social-communication symptom or restricted/repetitive behavior severity than with total autism symptom severity. Two relevant groups were identified. The social-communication symptom-increasing-severity-group (21.3%) had elevated and increasing levels of anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and disruptive behavior problems compared with children with stable social-communication symptom severity. The restricted/repetitive behavior-decreasing-severity-group (22.7%) had elevated and increasing levels of anxiety; 94% of these children met criteria for an anxiety disorder. Autism symptom severity change during middle childhood is associated with co-occurring mental health symptoms. Children that increase in social-communication symptom severity are also likely to demonstrate greater psychopathology, while decreases in restricted/repetitive behavior severity are associated with higher levels of anxiety. Lay abstract For many autistic children, the severity of their autism symptoms changes during middle childhood. We studied whether these changes are associated with the emergence of other mental health challenges such as anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Children who had increased social-communication challenges had more anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and disruptive behavior problems than other children. Children who decreased their restricted and repetitive behaviors, on the contrary, had more anxiety. We discuss why these changes in autism symptoms may lead to increases in other mental health concerns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in the severity of autism symptom domains are related to mental health challenges during middle childhood

Waizbard-Bartov,

Ferrer,

Heath

et al. 2023

Autism

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“…This research further talks about reduced social competence as a risk factor for social anxiety in children with ASD based on the study of Stark et al [ 13 ]. The characteristic of reduced social competence is common in both ASD and social anxiety.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The characteristic of reduced social competence is common in both ASD and social anxiety. It is considered a risk factor since it creates difficulties in establishing essential social skills that lead to successful social interactions [ 13 ]. The symptoms of social anxiety in ASD could be attributed to autism-specific social skills deficits.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Correlations Between the Development of Social Anxiety and Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Montaser,

Umeano,

Pujari

et al. 2023

Cureus

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It is well established that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have significantly higher rates of social anxiety, given that most autistic individuals experience socio-communication impairments, a deficit in social competence, and their experience in social engagement situations often leads to discomfort in social settings. Literature also finds that individuals on the spectrum are often at a higher risk of developing social anxiety, which is often misinterpreted as social anxiety disorder (SAD) leading to delays in the clinical diagnosis of ASD. Hence, an improved understanding of specific factors that put ASD individuals at risk of developing social anxiety will aid research to differentiate between social anxiety among individuals with ASD compared to non-ASD individuals facing social anxiety in general. This systematic review study focuses on empirical literature that provides evidence for reasons contributing to social anxiety among individuals with ASD. Following the systematic review methodology, the study evaluates 10 research papers. The results revealed several correlations that can be useful in helping explain why individuals with ASD are at a higher risk of developing SAD. Individuals with ASD often suffer severe social anxiety because they struggle to understand social cues, maintain eye contact, interpret non-verbal cues like facial expressions or body language, or participate in reciprocal conversation. Other cognitive factors include a preference toward predictable situations, intolerance for uncertainty, and a tendency toward rigid thinking patterns. Unpredictability in social settings often heightens anxiety levels in ASD individuals, making them avoid such situations. Other risk factors include emotional recognition impairments and reduced social competence. These findings serve as a guide to developing better intervention strategies to help individuals with ASD to overcome social anxiety.

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Alterations in microbiota-metabolism-circRNA crosstalk in autism spectrum disorder-like behaviours caused by maternal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides in mice

He,

Yang,

Zhou

et al. 2024

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

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Is reduced social competence a mechanism linking elevated autism spectrum symptoms with increased risk for social anxiety?

Cited by 5 publications

References 103 publications

Changes in the severity of autism symptom domains are related to mental health challenges during middle childhood

Changes in the severity of autism symptom domains are related to mental health challenges during middle childhood

Correlations Between the Development of Social Anxiety and Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review

Alterations in microbiota-metabolism-circRNA crosstalk in autism spectrum disorder-like behaviours caused by maternal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides in mice

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