A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Korean Version of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for Young Adults (Peers®-YA-K) With Autism Spectrum Disorder

A Pilot Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15528536
AuthorsMiae Oh (0000-0002-1927-3637, Kyung Hee University), Elizabeth A Laugeson (0000-0003-1601-176X, University of California, Los Angeles), Elizabeth Laugeson, Joohyun Kim (0009-0003-0985-5961, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital), Joo-Hyun Kim, Kyungah Lee (0009-0009-7872-6454, Dankook University), Jeeyun Kim (0000-0002-1576-5247, Maeumsarang Hospital), Seungha Lee (University College London), Bora Lim (0000-0002-4182-6058, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital), Seyoung Cha (Onnuri Smile Eye Clinic), Guiyoung Bong (0000-0001-8630-9399, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital), Nan‐He Yoon (0000-0003-1268-0149, Wonkwang University), Geon Ho Bahn (0000-0002-3550-0422, Kyung Hee University), Hee Jeong Yoo (Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages730448-730448
Publication date2021-10-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.730448
PMID34690837
OpenAlexW3202747632
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited37

Evidence-based social skills interventions for young adults are limited, despite social difficulties in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) persisting after transition to adulthood. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills for Young Adults (PEERS®-YA) is an evidence-based intervention found to be effective in improving relational skills in young adults with ASD. To translate the original American version of the PEERS®-YA treatment manual into Korean, intensive interviews were performed. Based on results from interviews, several rules of dating etiquette and social activities were modified to be culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate. Next, young adults diagnosed with ASD (18-35 years of age; IQ > 70) and their social coaches were recruited for the randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants were randomly assigned either to a treatment group (TG; n = 19) or a delayed treatment group (DTG; n = 18). In the analysis of group differences in the TG and DTG, social skills knowledge was improved. The within group analyses showed positive effects of improving social skills knowledge on reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. After modest cultural adaptations focusing on dating and social activities, the implementation of the PEERS®-YA-K was found feasible for the Korean community. This is one of only a few cross-cultural validation trials establishing evidence-based treatment in young adults with ASD. Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03310775

Anxiety · Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Developmental psychology · Etiquette · Intervention (counseling · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Randomized controlled trial · Social anxiety · Social skills · Young adult · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology

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