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. 2017 Jul:253:360-363.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.023. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Associations between executive functions and mental health outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder

David Zimmerman  1 , Tamara Ownsworth  2 , Analise O'Donovan  2 , Jacqueline Roberts  3 , Matthew J Gullo  4
Affiliations

Associations between executive functions and mental health outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorder

David Zimmerman et al. Psychiatry Res. 2017 Jul.

Abstract

Associations between executive functions (EF) and mental-health in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were examined. Forty-two adults with ASD completed measures of EF, mood and self-concept. Better concept formation and social inference skills were significantly associated with fewer anxiety symptoms. Conversely, participants with better non-verbal reasoning, cognitive flexibility and social cognition reported more negative self-concept and lower self-esteem. Overall, individuals with impaired EF are more prone to anxiety, whereas those with stronger EF are more likely to experience negative self-concept. Screening for and monitoring mental-health concerns in people with ASD regardless of their level of EF is recommended.

Keywords: ASD; Adults; Executive functions; Mood and self-concept.

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