Executive Functioning Is Linked to Internalizing Symptoms in Autistic Adults With Higher Support Needs

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Developmental Science

Background:

• Executive function (EF) is crucial for self-regulation and goal-directed behavior.
• Research on EF in autism predominantly focuses on children and adults without intellectual disability (ID).
• Limited data exists on EF and internalizing symptoms in autistic adults with higher support needs, including those with ID.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between specific EF components (flexibility, emotion regulation, inhibitory control) and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• To address the gap in understanding EF in autistic adults with higher support needs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 486 autistic adults with higher support needs (ages 18-68).
• Caregiver-reported data using validated scales for flexibility, executive functioning deficits (inhibitory control, emotion regulation), and mood (anxiety, depression).
• Hierarchical linear regression analyses controlling for demographic and cognitive variables.

Main Results:

• Difficulties with flexibility were significantly associated with higher anxiety and depression symptoms.
• Challenges in emotion regulation were also significantly linked to elevated anxiety and depression symptoms.
• No significant association was found between inhibitory control difficulties and internalizing symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Flexibility and emotion regulation are key correlates of internalizing symptoms in autistic adults with higher support needs.
• These findings highlight flexibility and emotion regulation as potential targets for interventions.
• Future research should focus on mechanistic and intervention studies in this population.