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The role of anxiety and depression in suicidal thoughts for autistic and non‐autistic people : a theory‐driven network analysis
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Pelton, Mirabel K., Crawford, Hayley, Bul, Kim, Robertson, Ashley E., Adams, Jon, de Beurs, Derek, Rodgers, Jacqui, Baron‐Cohen, Simon and Cassidy, Sarah (2023) The role of anxiety and depression in suicidal thoughts for autistic and non‐autistic people : a theory‐driven network analysis. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 53 (3). pp. 426-442. doi:10.1111/sltb.12954 ISSN 0363-0234.
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Suicide Life Threat Behav - 2023 - Pelton - The role of anxiety and depression in suicidal thoughts for autistic and.pdf - Published Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. Download (586Kb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12954
Abstract
Background
Autistic adults experience more frequent suicidal thoughts and mental health difficulties than non-autistic adults, but research has yet to explain how these experiences are connected. This study explored how anxiety and depression contribute to suicidal thoughts according to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide for autistic and non-autistic adults.
Methods
Participants (autistic adults n = 463, 61% female; non-autistic n = 342, 64% female) completed online measures of anxiety, depression, thwarted belonging, and perceived burdensomeness. Network analysis explored whether: (i) being autistic is a risk marker for suicide; and (ii) pathways to suicidal thoughts are consistent for autistic and non-autistic adults.
Results
Being autistic connected closely with feeling like an outsider, anxiety, and movement, which connected to suicidal thoughts through somatic experiences, low mood, and burdensomeness. Networks were largely consistent for autistic and non-autistic people, but connections from mood symptoms to somatic and thwarted belonging experiences were absent for autistic adults.
Conclusion
Autistic people experience more life stressors than non-autistic people leading to reduced coping, low mood, and suicidal thoughts. Promoting belonging, reducing anxiety, and understanding the role of movement could inform suicide prevention for autistic people. Research should accurately capture autistic lived experience when modeling suicide to ensure suicide prevention meets autistic needs.
Item Type: | Journal Article | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Subjects: | R Medicine > RC Internal medicine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Mental Health and Wellbeing Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Autism, Suicide, Suicide -- Statistics, Interpersonal relations, Social sciences -- Network analysis, Suicidal behavior | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: | Wiley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISSN: | 0363-0234 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Official Date: | June 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number: | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Page Range: | pp. 426-442 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.1111/sltb.12954 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publication Status: | Published | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Open Access (Creative Commons) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 3 April 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of first compliant Open Access: | 4 April 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant: |
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