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Social competence in autism: A structural equation modeling approach.
G L Simmons1,2, B A Corbett3, M D Lerner4,5
1TEACCH Autism Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Summary
Social competence in autistic youth involves distinct social cognition and social behavior, which are not closely related. Interventions should consider targeting these separate areas for effective support.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Psychology
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Autistic individuals often experience challenges in social competence, impacting social interactions and relationship building.
- Current clinical interventions frequently target social cognition and social behavior, yet their underlying relationship remains unclear.
- Understanding the distinct components of social competence is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between social cognition and social behavior in autistic youth using structural equation modeling.
- To determine if social cognition and social behavior are closely related latent constructs in this population.
- To inform clinical interventions by clarifying the structural relationship between these two domains.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze data from 219 autistic youth (ages 10-17) and their caregivers.
- Social cognition and social behavior were assessed using caregiver and self-report scales, observational measures, and clinical assessments (e.g., NEPSY-II).
- Measurement and correlational models were used to evaluate the fit and relationship between the constructs.
Main Results:
- Measurement models for social cognition and social behavior showed adequate to good fit.
- Correlational models indicated a weak relationship between social cognition and social behavior in autistic youth.
- An exploratory analysis of male youth suggested improved model fit for social behavior specifically.
Conclusions:
- Social cognition and social behavior appear to be cohesive yet separable constructs in autistic youth.
- The study does not support a direct structural relationship between social cognition and social behavior.
- Findings suggest that interventions may need to consider targeting social cognition and social behavior independently to support autistic youth's social development.
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