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Predicting Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Among Children Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Routines

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Abstract

Comorbid externalizing/internalizing symptoms among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often result in psychosocial distress. The current study examined how routines may be related to comorbid symptoms in children with ASD hospitalized for acute psychiatric care (n = 45) and a group of age/gender-matched typically developing peers (n = 45). Measures of routines, behavioral problems, and parental adjustment were completed by parents. Multiple regression analyses revealed a correlation between parental adjustment and internalizing symptoms among children, and a quadratic relation between routines and internalizing symptoms for the ASD group. A quadratic relation was also observed for routines and externalizing symptoms for the ASD group, whereas only parental adjustment emerged as a significant predictor of externalizing symptoms for the typically developing group. Implications for conceptualizing routines and treatment in the context of ASD are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Dr, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Laura Stoppelbein, Fred Biasini & Mark Pennick

  2. Glenwood Autism and Behavioral Health, 150 Glenwood Lane, Birmingham, AL, 35243, USA

    Laura Stoppelbein

  3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA

    Leilani Greening

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  1. Laura Stoppelbein
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  2. Fred Biasini
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  3. Mark Pennick
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  4. Leilani Greening
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Correspondence to Laura Stoppelbein.

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Stoppelbein, L., Biasini, F., Pennick, M. et al. Predicting Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms Among Children Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Role of Routines. J Child Fam Stud 25, 251–261 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0218-3

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