The distribution of and relationship between autistic traits and social anxiety in a UK student population

Abstract

Traits associated with autism and social anxiety were assessed in a UK student population (n = 1325) using the Autism-spectrum Quotient and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Clinically relevant levels of autistic traits were observed in 3.3% of the cohort; 10.1% of the cohort reported clinically relevant levels of social anxiety; 1.8% of the cohort met clinically relevant cut-offs for both conditions. There was a significant positive correlation between scores on the two scales (r = .51); students with high levels of autistic traits were more likely to report increased social anxiety than those with average or low levels of autistic traits. Level of social anxiety was best predicted by autistic traits associated with social skill, attention switching and communication, accounting for 33% of the variance in social anxiety scores. Social skill was a better predictor of social anxiety in males than females; attention switching ability was a better predictor of social anxiety in females than males. Students with high levels of autistic traits displayed heightened anxiety to situations and activities necessary for the successful completion of their degree. Implications for student well-being and attainment are discussed.

Brief Report: Patterns of Eye Movements in Face to Face Conversation are Associated with Autistic Traits: Evidence from a Student Sample

“…In neurotypical adults autistic traits were previously found to be related to social anxiety (r=0.51; Freeth et al, 2013b). In the current study, the association between reduced visual exploration and autistic traits was not explained by social anxiety.…”

Investigating emotional impairments in adults with autism spectrum disorders and the broader autism phenotype

“…The AQ is not a diagnostic tool, see below, and there are ambiguities in its psychometric properties. However it is used here to allow comparison of autistic traits with variables of interest, and has been shown to be associated with, and a predictor of, various characteristics in the typical population, see for example, Freeth, et al, 2012;Poljac et al, 2012). 13% of the ASD sample reported an additional diagnosis, specifically: one participant reported an additional diagnosis of ADHD, one of dyslexia, two of developmental coordination disorder (DCD, sometimes referred to as 'dyspraxia') and one of ADD and DCD.…”

Self-reported social skills impairment explains elevated autistic traits in individuals with generalized social anxiety disorder

“…In these studies, individuals with SAD could be differentiated from control participants, but due to small sample sizes and diagnostic comorbidities, it is difficult to understand the relationship between self-reported autistic traits and SAD. Additionally, two studies conducted with student samples suggest differences between the AQ total score and the AQ subscales in terms of the ability to differentiate diagnostic groups (Freeth, Bullock, & Milne, 2012; White, Bray, & Ollendick, 2012). Specifically, subscales that are strongly related to impaired social functioning appear to be endorsed at higher rates by participants with higher levels of social anxiety.…”