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. 2020 Oct;50(10):3606-3619.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04324-2.

Unrelenting Depression and Suicidality in Women with Autistic Traits

M South  1   2 , J S Beck  3 , R Lundwall  4 , M Christensen  5 , E A Cutrer  5 , T P Gabrielsen  5 , J C Cox  6 , R A Lundwall  3   7
Affiliations

Unrelenting Depression and Suicidality in Women with Autistic Traits

M South et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Understanding the cognitive and emotional mechanisms that link autistic traits and risk for suicide is a vital next step for research and clinical practice. This study included a broad sample of adult women (n = 74) who report finding social situations confusing and/or exhausting, and who score high on measures of autistic traits. Regardless of autism diagnostic status, these women reported high rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Depression symptoms were more associated with suicidality than were autistic trait measures of social communication. Measures of neurotypical "imagination" and of repetitive behavior likewise were associated with suicidality risk. Simultaneously feeling sad and feeling stuck or unable to imagine alternate strategies, may uniquely increase suicide risk in autism.

Keywords: Autism; Autistic traits; Depression; Females; Flexibility; Suicidal thoughts and behaviors; Suicide; Women.

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