A Replication and Extension of the PEERS® for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors

Alana J. McVey, Marquette University
Bridget Dolan, Marquette UniversityFollow
Kirsten S. Willar, Marquette University
Sheryl Pleiss, University of Minnesota
Jeffrey S. Karst, Marquette UniversityFollow
Christina L. Casnar, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Christina Caiozzo, Marquette University
Elisabeth M. Vogt, Marquette University
Nakia Gordon, Marquette UniversityFollow
Amy V. Van Hecke, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

12-2016

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Source ISSN

1573-3432

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2911-5

Abstract

Young adults with ASD experience difficulties with social skills, empathy, loneliness, and social anxiety. One intervention, PEERS® for Young Adults, shows promise in addressing these challenges. The present study replicated and extended the original study by recruiting a larger sample (N = 56), employing a gold standard ASD assessment tool, and examining changes in social anxiety utilizing a randomized controlled trial design. Results indicated improvements in social responsiveness (SSIS-RS SS, p = .006 and CPB, p = .005; SRS, p = .004), PEERS® knowledge (TYASSK, p = .001), empathy (EQ, p = .044), direct interactions (QSQ-YA, p = .059), and social anxiety (LSAS-SR, p = .019). Findings demonstrate further empirical support for the intervention for individuals with ASD.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 46, No. 12 (December 2016): 3739-3754. DOI. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

McVey, Alana J.; Dolan, Bridget; Willar, Kirsten S.; Pleiss, Sheryl; Karst, Jeffrey S.; Casnar, Christina L.; Caiozzo, Christina; Vogt, Elisabeth M.; Gordon, Nakia; and Van Hecke, Amy V., "A Replication and Extension of the PEERS® for Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects on Social Skills and Social Anxiety in Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder" (2016). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 209.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/209