Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Brief Report: Inter-Relationship between Emotion Regulation, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Depression in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the inter-relationship between emotion regulation (ER), intolerance of uncertainty (IU), and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Sixty-one individuals aged 14–24 years (M age = 18.19; SD age = 2.19) completed the ER Questionnaire, IU Scale-12, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Autism-Spectrum Quotient-Short. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted. Results indicated all key variables were associated with each other and IU mediated the relationships between ER and symptoms of anxiety and of depression. Findings have implications for the design of future interventions targeting affective disorders in ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, books and news in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Aldao, A., Gee, D. G., De Los Reyes, A., & Seager, I. (2016). Emotion regulation as a transdiagnostic factor in the development of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology: Current and future directions. Development and Psychopathology, 28(4pt1), 927–946.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aldao, A., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2012). When are adaptive strategies most predictive of psychopathology? Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 121(1), 276–281.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010). Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(2), 217–237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, 31(1), 5–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beesdo-Baum, K., Knappe, S. (2012). Developmental epidemiology of anxiety disorders. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 21(3), 457–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berking, M., & Schwarz, J. (2013). The affect regulation training. In J. J. Gross (Ed.), Handbook of emotion regulation (pp. 529–547). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berking, M., & Wupperman, P. (2012). Emotion regulation and mental health: Recent findings, current challenges, and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 25(2), 128–134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Birrell, J., Meares, K., Wilkinson, A., & Freeston, M. (2011). Toward a definition of intolerance of uncertainty: A review of factor analytical studies of the intolerance of uncertainty scale. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(7), 1198–1208.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boelen, P. A., & Reijntjes, A. (2009). Intolerance of uncertainty and social anxiety. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(1), 130–135.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boswell, J. F., Thompson-Hollands, J., Farchione, T. J., & Barlow, D. H. (2013). Intolerance of uncertainty: A common factor in the treatment of emotional disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(6), 630–645.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boulter, C., Freeston, M., South, M., & Rodgers, J. (2014). Intolerance of uncertainty as a framework for understanding anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(6), 1391–1402.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bruggink, A., Huisman, S., Vuijk, R., Kraaij, V., & Garnefski, N. (2016). Cognitive emotion regulation, anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 22, 34–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, F. (2003). Savouring beliefs inventory (SBI): A scale for measuring belifs about savouring. Journal of Mental Health, 12(2), 175–196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butler, E. A., Egloff, B., Wilhelm, F. H., Smith, N. C., Erickson, E. A., & Gross, J. J. (2003). The social consequences of expressive suppression. Emotion, 3(1), 48–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell-Sills, L., Barlow, D. H., Brown, T. A., & Hofmann, S. G. (2006). Acceptability and suppression of negative emotion in anxiety and mood disorders. Emotion, 6(4), 587–595.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carleton, R. N. (2016). Into the unknown: A review and synthesis of contemporary models involving uncertainty. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 39, 30–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carleton, R. N., Norton, M. A., & Asmundson, G. J. (2007). Fearing the unknown: A short version of the intolerance of uncertainty scale. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(1), 105–117.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Compare, A., Zarbo, C., Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., & Marconi, C. (2014). Emotional regulation and depression: A potential mediator between heart and mind. Cardiovascular Psychiatry and Neurology. doi:10.1155/2014/324374

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cracco, E., Goossens, L., & Braet, C. (2017). Emotion regulation across childhood and adolescence: Evidence for a maladaptive shift in adolescence. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 26(8), 909–921.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Jong-Meyer, R., Beck, B., & Riede, K. (2009). Relationships between rumination, worry, intolerance of uncertainty and megacognitive beliefs. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 547–551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dugas, M. J., Freeston, M. H., & Ladouceur, R. (1997). Intolerance of uncertainty and problem orientation in worry. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 21(6), 593–606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dugas, M. J., Gosselin, P., & Ladouceur, R. (2001). Intolerance of uncertainty and worry: Investigating specificity in a nonclinical sample. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 25(5), 551–558.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dugas, M. J., & Ladouceur, R. (2000). Treatment of GAD. Targeting intolerance of uncertainty in two types of worry. Behavior Modification, 24(5), 635–657.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eftekhari, A., Zoellner, L. A., & Vigil, S. A. (2009). Patterns of emotion regulation and psychopathology. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 22(5), 571–586.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Freeston, M. H., Rhéaume, J., Letarte, H., Dugas, M. J., & Ladouceur, R. (1994). Why do people worry? Personality and Individual Differences, 17(6), 791–802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E. A., & Asher, E. R. (2004). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(2), 228–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garnefski, N., Legerstee, J., Kraaij, V., Van den Kommer, T., & Teerds, J. (2002). Cognitive coping strategies and symptoms of depression and anxiety: A comparison between adolescents and adults. Journal of Adolescence, 25(6), 603–611.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gater, R., Tansella, M., Korten, A., Tiemens, B. G., Mavreas, V. G., & Olatawura, M. O. (1998). Sex differences in the prevalence and detection of depressive and anxiety disorders in general health care settings: Report from the world health organization collaborative study on psychological problems in general health care. Archives General Psychiatry, 55(5), 405–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gentes, E. L., & Ruscio, A. M. (2011). A meta-analysis of the relation of intolerance of uncertainty to symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 923–933.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goldin, P. R., McRae, K., Ramel, W., & Gross, J. J. (2007). The neural bases of emotion regulation: Reappraisal and suppression of negative emotion. Biological Psychiatry, 63(6), 577–586.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J., & John, O. P. (2003). Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: Implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85(2), 348–362.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J., & Levenson, R. W. (1993). Emotional suppression: Physiology, self-report, and expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 64(6), 970–986.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, J. J., & Muñoz, R. F. (1995). Emotion regulation and mental health. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice, 2(2), 151–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hankin, B. L. (2009). Development of sex differences in depressive and co-occurring anxious symptoms during adolescence: Descriptive trajectories and potential explanations in a multiwave prospective study. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 38(4), 460–472.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodgson, A. R., Freeston, M. H., Honey, E., & Rodgers, J. (2016). Facing the unknown: Intolerance of uncertainty in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. doi:10.1111/jar.12245

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoekstra, R. A., Vinkhuyzen, A. A. E., Wheelwright, S., Bartels, M., Boomsma, D. I., Baron-Cohen, S., et al. (2011). The construction and validation of an abridged version of the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ-Short). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 589–596.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hofvander, B., Delorme, R., Chaste, P., Nydén, A., Wentz, E., Ståhlberg, O., et al. (2009). Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal intelligence autism spectrum disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 9(1), 35.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jahromi, L. B., Meek, S. E., & Ober-Reynolds, S. (2012). Emotion regulation in the context of frustration in children with high functioning autism and their typical peers. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53(12), 1250–1258.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joormann, J., & Gotlib, I. H. (2010). Emotion regulation in depression: Relation to cognitive inhibition. Cogniton and Emotion, 24(2), 281–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keefer, A., Kreiser, N. L., Singh, V., Blakeley-Smith, A., Duncan, A., Johnson, C., et al. (2016). Intolerance of uncertainty predicts anxiety outcomes following CBT in youth with ASD. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-016-2852-z

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerns, C. M., Kendall, P. C., Zickgraf, H., Franklin, M. E., Miller, J., & Herrington, J. (2015). Not to be overshadowed or overlooked: Functional impairments associated with comorbid anxiety disorders in youth with ASD. Behavioural Therapy, 46(1), 29–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., & Demler, O. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the national comorbidity survey replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knappe, S., Klotsche, J., Strobel, A., LeBeau, R. T., Craske, M. G., Wittchen, H. U., et al. (2013). Dimensional anxiety scale for DSM-5: Sensitivity to clinical severity. European Psychiatry, 28(7), 448–456.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Konstantareas, M. M., & Stewart, K. (2006). Affect regulation and temperament in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(2), 143–154.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(9), 606–613.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ladouceur, R., Dugas, M. J., Freeston, M. H., Léger, E., Gagnon, F., & Thibodeau, N. (2000). Efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: Evaluation in a controlled clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68(6), 957–964.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lainhart, J. E. (1999). Psychiatric problems in individuals with autism, their parents and siblings. International Review of Psychiatry, 11(4), 278–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Alfert, E. (1964). Short-circuiting of threat by experimentally altering cognitive appraisal. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 69, 195–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebeau, R. T., Glenn, D. E., Hanover, L. N., Beesdo-Baum, K., Wittchen, H. U., & Craske, M. G. (2012). A dimensional approach to measuring anxiety for DSM-5. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 21(4), 258–272.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lever, A. G., & Geurts, H. M. (2016). Psychiatric co-occurring symptoms and disorders in young, middle-aged, and older adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 1916–1930.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lind, C., & Boschen, M. J. (2009). Intolerance of uncertainty mediates the relationship between responsibility beliefs and compulsive checking. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 23(8), 1047–1052.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liverant, G. I., Kamholx, B. W., Sloan, D. M., & Brown, T. A. (2011). Rumination in clinical depression: A type of emotional suppression? Cognitive Therapy and Research, 35(3), 253–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugnegard, T., Hallerbäck, M. U., & Gillberg, C. (2011). Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(5), 1910–1917.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maisel, M. E., Stephenson, K. G., South, M., Rodgers, J., Freeston, M. H., & Gaigg, S. B. (2016). Modeling the cognitive mechanisms linking autism symptoms and anxiety in adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 125(5), 692–703.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazefsky, C. A., Borue, X., Day, T. N., & Minshew, N. J. (2014). Emotion regulation patterns in adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: Comparison to typically developing adolescents and association with psychiatric symptoms. Autism Research, 7(3), 344–354.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mazefsky, C. A., & White, S. W. (2014). Emotion regulation: Concepts and practice in autism spectrum disorder. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 23(1), 15–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzone, L., Ruta, L., & Reale, L. (2012). Psychiatric comorbidities in asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: Diagnostic challenges. Annals of General Psychiatry, 11(16), 16.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • McEvoy, P. M., & Mahoney, A. E. (2012). To be sure, to be sure: Intolerance of uncertainty mediates symptoms of various anxiety disorders and depression. Behavioral Therapy, 43(3), 533–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: Prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45(8), 1027–1035.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Meeten, F., Dash, S. R., Scarlet, A. L. S., & Davey, G. C. L. (2012). Investigating the effect of intolerance of uncertainty on catastrophic worrying and mood. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 50(11), 690–698.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mennin, D. S., Fresco, D. M., Ritter, M., & Heimberg, R. G. (2015). An open trial of emotion regulation therapy for generalized anxiety disorder and coocurring depression. Depression and Anxiety, 32(8), 614–623.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Miranda, R., Fontes, M., & Marroquin, B. (2008). Cognitive content-specificity in future experiences: Role of hopelessness and intolerance of uncertainty in depression and GAD symptoms. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46(10), 1151–1159.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nader-Grosbois, N., & Mazzone, S. (2014). Emotion regulation, personality and social adjustment in children with autism spectrum disorders. Psychology, 5(15), 1750–1767.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neil, L., Olsson, N. C., & Pellicano, E. (2016). The relationship between intolerance of uncertainty, sensory sensitivities, and anxiety in autistic and typically developing children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 1962–1973.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, B. D., Shankman, S. A., & Proudfit, G. H. (2014). Intolerance of uncertainty mediates reduced reward anticipation in major depressive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 158, 108–113.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2001). Gender differences in depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10(5), 173–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paus, T., Keshavan, M., & Giedd, J. N. (2008). Why do many psychiatric disorders emerge during adolescence? Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(12), 947–957.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pitskel, N. B., Bolling, D. Z., Kaiser, M. D., Pelphrey, K. A., & Crowley, M. J. (2014). Neural systems for cognitive reappraisal in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 10, 117–128.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pouw, L. B. C., Rieffe, C., Stockmann, L., & Gadow, K. D. (2013). The link between emotion regulation, social functioning, and depression in boys with ASD. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7(4), 549–556.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qualtrics (2014). Qualtrics [Online software]. Provo, Utah, USA. Retrieved June 2014 from http://www.qualtrics.com.

  • Quoidbach, J., Berry, E. V., Hansenne, M., & Mikolajczak, M. (2010). Positive emotion regulation and well-being: Comparing the impact of eight savoring and dampening strategies. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(5), 368–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raes, F., Smets, J., Nelis, S., & Schoofs, H. (2012). Dampening of positive affect prospectively predicts depressive symptoms in non-clinical samples. Cognition and Emotion, 26(1), 75–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. M., Butler, E. A., & Gross, J. J. (2003). Emotion regulation in romantic relationships: The cognitive consequences of concealing feelings. Journal of Social and Personality Relationships, 20(5), 599–620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. M., & Gross, J. J. (2000). Emotion regulation and memory: The cognitive costs of keeping one’s cool. Personality Processes and Individual Differences, 79(3), 410–424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richey, J. A., Damiano, C. R., Sabatino, A., Rittenberg, A., Petty, C., Bizzell, J., et al. (2015). Neural mechanisms of emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder. Jounral of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3409–3423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieffe, C., De Bruine, M., De Rooij, M., & Stockmann, L. (2014). Approach and avoidant emotion regulation prevent depressive symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 39, 37–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rieffe, C., Oosterveld, P., Terwogt, M. M., Mootz, S., Van Leeuwen, E., & Stockmann, L. (2011). Emotion regulation and internalizing symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 15(6), 655–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Hodgson, A., Shields, K., Wright, C., Honey, E., & Freeston, M. (2016). Towards a treatment for intolerance of uncertainty in young people with autism spectrum disorder: Development of the coping with uncertainty in everyday situations (CUES©) programme. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. doi:10.1007/s10803-016-2924-0

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Dougherty, R. F., Lee, I. A., Phillipes, J. M., Gross, J. J., & Hardan, A. Y. (2016). White matter structure in the uncinated fasciculus: Implications for socio-affective deficits in autism spectrum disorder. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 255, 66–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Hardan, A. Y., Lee, I. A., Phillips, J. M., & Gross, J. J. (2015b). Maladaptive behaviour in autism spectrum disorder: The role of emotion experience and emotion regulation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3424–3432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Hardan, A. Y., Podell, R. W., Phillips, J. M., & Gross, J. J. (2014a). Emotion regulation in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 8(1), 9–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Huber, O., & Gross, J. J. (2012). Emotion regulation in Asperger’s syndrome and high-functioning autism. Emotion, 12(4), 659–665.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Phillips, J. M., Parker, K. J., Shah, S., Gross, J. J., & Hardan, A. Y. (2014b). Emotion dysregulation and the core features of autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(7), 1766–1772.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Samson, A. C., Wells, W. M., Phillips, J. M., Hardan, A. Y., & Gross, J. J. (2015a). Emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder: Evidence from parent interviews and children’s daily diaries. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 56(8), 903–913.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schäfer, J. Ö., Naumann, E., Holmes, A. H., Tuschen-Caffier, B., & Samson, A. C. (2017). Emotion regulation strategies in depressive and anxiety symptoms in youth: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46(2), 261–276.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silk, J. S., Steinberg, L., & Morris, A. S. (2003). Adolescents’ emotion regulation in daily life: Links to depressive symptoms and problem behavior. Child Development, 74(6), 1869–1880.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steketee, G., Frost, R. O., & Cohen, I. (1998). Beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 12(6), 525–537.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sterling, L., Dawson, G., Estes, A., & Greenson, J. (2008). Characteristics associated with presence of depressive symptoms in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(6), 1011–1018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swain, D., Scarpa, A., White, S., & Laugeson, E. (2015). Emotion dysregulation and anxiety in adults with ASD: Does social motivation play a role? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(12), 3971–3977.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Teale Sapach, M. J., Carleton, R. N., Mulvogue, M. K., Weeks, J. W., & Heimberg, R. G. (2015). Cognitive constructs and social anxiety disorder: Beyond fearing negative evaluation. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, 44(1), 63–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, R. A. (1991). Emotion regulation and emotional development. Educational Psychology Review, 3(4), 269–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, K., Riosa, P. B., & Weiss, J. A. (2015). Brief report of preliminary outcomes of an emotion regulation intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3487–3495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tolin, D. F., Abramowitz, J. S., Brigidi, B. D., & Foa, E. B. (2003). Intolerance of uncertainty in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 17(2), 233–242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Troy, A. S., Wilhelm, F. H., Shallcross, A. J., & Mauss, I. B. (2010). Seeing the silver lining: Cognitive reappraisal ability moderates the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. Emotion, 10(6), 783–795.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Uljarević, M., Nuske, H., & Vivanti, G. (2016). Anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. In L. Mazzone & B. Vitiello (Eds.), Psychiatric symptoms of comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder. Cham: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Steensel, F. J. A., Bögels, S. M., & Perrin, S. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14(3), 302–317.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Watkins, E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought. Psychological Bulletin, 134(2), 163–206.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., & Roberson-Nay, R. (2009). Anxiety, social deficits, and loneliness in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(7), 1006–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wigham, S., Rodgers, J., South, M., McConachie, H., & Freeston, M. (2015). The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(4), 943–952.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yook, K., Kim, K. H., Suh, S. Y., & Lee, K. S. (2016). Intolerance of uncertainty, worry, rumination in major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24(6), 623–628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zlomke, K. R., & Jeter, K. M. (2014). Stress and worry: Examining intolerance of uncertainty’s moderating effect. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 27(2), 202–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres program. We would also like to thank all those who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Australian School Leavers with Autism from which these data are drawn.

Author Contributions

RC conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, collected the data, performed the statistical analysis, drafted the manuscript. AR conceived of the study and participated in its design. CD provided intellectual feedback. MU concevied of the study, participated in its design and coordination, and collected the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC); Grant Number: 3.016.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia

    Ru Ying Cai, Amanda L. Richdale, Cheryl Dissanayake & Mirko Uljarević

  2. Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), The University of Queensland, Level 3 Foxtail Building, Long Pocket, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia

    Ru Ying Cai, Amanda L. Richdale, Cheryl Dissanayake & Mirko Uljarević

Authors
  1. Ru Ying Cai
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Amanda L. Richdale
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cheryl Dissanayake
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mirko Uljarević
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amanda L. Richdale.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cai, R.Y., Richdale, A.L., Dissanayake, C. et al. Brief Report: Inter-Relationship between Emotion Regulation, Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Depression in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 48, 316–325 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3318-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3318-7

Keywords