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Investigation of Individual Factors Associated with Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

As youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to experience anxiety than youth in the general population, investigation of associated factors is important for diagnosis and treatment. The present study extended prior research by examining factors associated with caregiver-reported anxiety in 2662 youth (mean age = 8.82 years) with ASD. Logistic regression analyses indicated increases in age, social problems, and cognitive functioning predicted high anxiety group membership. Cognitive functioning moderated the relation of adaptive social behaviors and anxiety. Results from the present study provide support for previously identified factors associated with anxiety; however, further investigation is necessary to uncover additional factors and to explore their relation to anxiety across individuals with ASD with varying levels of cognitive functioning.

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Acknowledgments

This study was based on thesis research conduced by the corresponding author using phenotypic data from the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC). We are grateful to the SSC researchers and participating families without whom this study would not have been possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Georgia, 110 Carlton Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Ashley H. Dubin & A. Michele Lease

  2. Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Rebecca Lieberman-Betz

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  1. Ashley H. Dubin
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  2. Rebecca Lieberman-Betz
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Correspondence to Ashley H. Dubin.

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Dubin, A.H., Lieberman-Betz, R. & Michele Lease, A. Investigation of Individual Factors Associated with Anxiety in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 2947–2960 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2458-x

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