Personality in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Associations With Face Memory Deficit and Theory of Mind

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Clinical Psychiatry

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition.
• Understanding the personality profiles and cognitive deficits in adults with ASD is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Previous research suggests potential differences in personality and social cognition in ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the personality profiles of adults with ASD using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI).
• To investigate the relationship between personality, face memory deficits (FMD), and theory of mind (ToM) in adults with ASD.
• To identify distinct clinical phenotypes within the ASD population relevant to personality development and treatment.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 55 adults with ASD and 22 neurotypical (NT) adults completed a battery of neuropsychological tests.
• Personality assessment was conducted using the PAI, alongside measures of FMD and ToM (Eyes Test).
• Statistical analyses compared PAI profiles between ASD and NT groups and examined associations between PAI scales, FMD, and Eyes Test performance.

Main Results:

• Adults with ASD exhibited significantly elevated scores on several PAI scales compared to NT adults.
• The presence of FMD in adults with ASD was linked to distinct PAI profiles, including higher scores on impression management and treatment rejection scales.
• ASD adults with FMD scored lower on scales related to borderline personality, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and stress, and showed a significant association between Eyes Test performance and FMD.

Conclusions:

• Adults with ASD possess a distinctive personality profile.
• ASD adults with FMD demonstrate diminished insight into their emotional processing challenges.
• Individuals with ASD and FMD may exhibit reduced sensitivity to the emotions of others compared to those without FMD.