Autistic traits predict social avoidance and distress

The chain mediating role of perceived stress and interpersonal alienation

Bibliographic Data

ID21391778
AuthorsXiangning Li (0000-0002-3747-2824, School of Psychology Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210097 China), Hongyan Shen (0000-0002-6318-8683, Mental Health Education and Consultation Center Guangzhou University Guangzhou 510006 China), Haiyan Kong (0000-0002-6168-6224, School of Psychology Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210097 China), Jiushu Xie (0000-0003-4300-1516, School of Psychology Nanjing Normal University Nanjing 210097 China, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume64
Issue6
Pages802-809
Publication date2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScandinavian Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0036-5564 • E-ISSN: 1467-9450
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/sjop.12946
PMID37345676
OpenAlexW4381598064
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited54

Social avoidance and distress are the primary aspects of social anxiety. Nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to exhibit social avoidance and distress. However, research has yet to reveal how autistic traits induce social avoidance and distress. To fill this gap, the present study recruited 708 participants to complete the 25‐item Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, and Interpersonal Alienation Subscale. The results indicated that autistic traits significantly predicted social avoidance and distress in nonautistic people. In addition, autistic traits induced social avoidance and distress through perceived stress and interpersonal alienation, respectively. Importantly, perceived stress and interpersonal alienation (including the subdimensions of interpersonal alienation: sense of loneliness, sense of social isolation, and alienation between family members) partially mediated the relationships between autistic traits and social avoidance and distress. Overall, autistic traits predict social avoidance and distress via perceived stress and interpersonal alienation. This finding extends the hypothetical model of clinical anxiety in autism spectrum disorders. Furthermore, reducing perceived stress and interpersonal alienation in nonautistic people with high levels of autistic traits may be a valid intervention method to prevent and eliminate their social avoidance and distress

Alienation · Anxiety · Autism · Developmental psychology · Distress · Interpersonal communication · Loneliness · Psychiatry · Social isolation · Social support · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders · Psychology · Social Psychology