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Predicting Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptoms from Social Skills Among Youth Referred for an Autism Evaluation
Emma Wilkinson1, Melissa L Rinaldi2, Kristin V Christodulu2
1Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, University at Albany State University of New York, 1535 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12203, USA. ewilkinson2@albany.edu.
Abstract:
Social skills are associated with depression and self-esteem in autistic youth. Minimal comparisons between youth and parent-reported social skills to clinically relevant samples limit existing studies. This study compared the relationships between parent and youth-reported social skills, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms between autistic youth and youth referred for but not given an autism diagnosis. Regression analyses of cross-sectional data revealed that youth-reported social skills statistically predicted self-esteem, parent-reported social skills statistically predicted depressive symptoms, and self-esteem statistically predicted depressive symptoms. All relationships were weaker in the autistic group, except parent-reported social skills and depressive symptoms, which was stronger. Results indicate that poor social skills are associated with mental health outcomes among youth referred for autism diagnosis, but that autism-related factors may influence these relationships. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
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