Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents with ASD Completing the PEERS® Social Skills Intervention

Authors

Hillary Schiltz, Marquette UniversityFollow
Alana J. McVey, Marquette UniversityFollow
Bridget Kathleen Dolan, Marquette UniversityFollow
Kirsten S. Willar, Marquette UniversityFollow
Sheryl Pleiss, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jeffrey S. Karst, Marquette UniversityFollow
Audrey M. Carson, Marquette UniversityFollow
Christina Caiozzo, Marquette UniversityFollow
Elisabeth M. Vogt, Marquette UniversityFollow
Brianna D. Yund, University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeFollow
Amy V. Van Hecke, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

3-2018

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Source ISSN

0162-3257

Abstract

Depression is a common concern among people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is often associated with social skills and relationship challenges. The present data, from a randomized controlled trial, examined the effect of PEERS^® on self-reported depressive symptoms via the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) among 49 adolescents with ASD. Findings revealed that many CDI subscale scores declined (p’s < 0.05) and were related to direct social contact on the Quality of Socialization Questionnaire at posttest (p’s < 0.05). Exploratory analyses uncovered that suicidality was less evident following PEERS^®. Findings support the notion that social functioning and depression may be intimately intertwined in ASD; therefore, bolstering social skills in ASD may positively influence other domains of functioning, including mental health.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Vol. 48, No. 3 (March 2018): 834-843. DOI. © 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature. Used with permission.

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Recommended Citation

Schiltz, Hillary; McVey, Alana J.; Dolan, Bridget Kathleen; Willar, Kirsten S.; Pleiss, Sheryl; Karst, Jeffrey S.; Carson, Audrey M.; Caiozzo, Christina; Vogt, Elisabeth M.; Yund, Brianna D.; and Van Hecke, Amy V., "Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents with ASD Completing the PEERS® Social Skills Intervention" (2018). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 348.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/348