Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...

Stress and Mental Health

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Social relationships and mental wellbeing in autistic adolescent girls and boys: A longitudinal investigation.

JCPP advances·2026

Same author

The Role of Peer Victimisation and Parental Mental Health in Internalising Problems: Examining Bidirectional Relationships Across Childhood and Adolescence in Autistic Youth.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders·2026

Same author

Dawn of the dread: threatening cinematic virtual reality environments enhance general but not specific pavlovian-instrumental transfer.

Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience·2026

Same author

"Utterly Overwhelming"-A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Sensory Processing Differences and Mental Health Experiences in Middle-Aged and Older Autistic Adults.

Autism in adulthood·2026

Same author

The association between autistic traits and trajectories of anxiety in middle-aged and older adults: an 8-year growth mixture model analysis.

Nature. Mental health·2026

Same author

Ethnicity, Poverty, and Academic Success and Self-Esteem at the End of Primary School: Family and Child Processes of Agency and Emotion.

Child psychiatry and human development·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Autism and Problematic Substance Use in Adolescence: Evidence From the Millennium Cohort Study.

Adam Shea¹, William Mandy², Eirini Flouri³

¹Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine

|July 10, 2026

Summary

Autistic adolescents reported lower rates of problematic substance use compared to their non-autistic peers. These findings suggest a different pattern of substance use in autistic youth versus adults.

Keywords:

Adolescence Autism spectrum disorder Millennium cohort study Substance use

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

Neurodevelopmental disorders
Adolescent health
Substance use research

Background:

Limited and inconsistent research exists on autism and adolescent substance use.
Understanding this relationship is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between autism and problematic substance use in a large, nationally representative adolescent sample.
To examine substance use patterns at ages 14 and 17.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study (n=12,243).
Assessed problematic alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substance use at ages 14 and 17.
Employed logistic regression models to analyze the association between autism and substance use, controlling for intelligence and other confounders.

Main Results:

Autistic adolescents (3.75% of sample) showed significantly lower odds of overall problematic substance use at both ages (14 and 17) compared to non-autistic peers.
Lower odds of problematic alcohol use were also associated with autism.
No significant differences in tobacco, cannabis, or other substance use were found between autistic and non-autistic adolescents.

Conclusions:

Autistic adolescents exhibit lower odds of problematic substance use, independent of intelligence.
This contrasts with findings in adult populations, suggesting a potential reversal of this trend in adulthood.