Abstract
The study aimed to identify the mediating role of emotional intelligence and social competences in the relationship between gender and broad autism phenotype (BAP) as well as between age and BAP. It comprised 85 parents of children with ASD. They completed the questionnaires of Autism-Spectrum Quotient, social competences, and emotional intelligence. The results revealed that emotional intelligence in general and its two dimensions: the ability to accept and express emotions and to empathize are important mediators of the relationship between gender and BAP. Also, social competences in general and two of their dimensions: the effectiveness of behavior in intimate situations and in social situations were significant mediators. The relationship between age and BAP could not be confirmed.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all parents who took part in the study as well as the authorities and staff of the schools and ASD (SYNTHESIS) foundation. We would also like to acknowledge the essential contribution of Maja Boczek the former student of Katarzyna Markiewicz who was crucial in gathering the experimental data.
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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Katarzyna Markiewicz is on the board of directors of the Association of Parents of Autistic Children and receives no compensation as member of the board of directors. Sara Filipiak and Bożydar L. J. Kaczmarek declare they have no financial interests
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by KM, BLJK and SF. The first draft of the manuscript was written by KM and BLJK and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Markiewicz, K., Kaczmarek, B.L.J. & Filipiak, S. Mediating Effect of Emotional and Social Competences on Interrelations Between Gender, Age and the Broad Autism Phenotype. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 3017–3027 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04756-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04756-1