Heightened risk of posttraumatic stress disorder in adults with autism spectrum disorder: The role of cumulative trauma and memory deficits. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rumball, Freya; Brook, Lucinda; Happé, Francesca; Karl, Anke
• Is Part Of: Research in developmental disabilities. Volume 110(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Autism -- ASD -- Trauma -- Post-traumatic stress disorder -- PTSD -- Mental health -- Memory; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmentally disabled children -- Education -- Research -- United States -- Periodicals; Developmental Disabilities -- Periodicals; Disabled -- Periodicals; Mental Retardation -- rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Personnes atteintes de troubles du développement -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Enfants atteints de troubles du développement -- Éducation -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; Développement, Troubles du -- Recherche -- États-Unis -- Périodiques; 616.858800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103848
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-4222

Abstract

Highlights: Rates of trauma and PTSD symptoms are higher in autistic (ASD) adults. Rates of probable PTSD in ASD are 10 times as much as those of typically developing adults. Memory difficulties in autism (ASD) are associated with increased PTSD symptoms. Increased trauma exposure in autism (ASD) is associated with PTSD symptom severity. Abstract: Background: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are known to be at increased risk of exposure to traumas such as maltreatment and abuse, however less is known about possible susceptibility towards the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated risk factors. Aims: This study investigated the rates of trauma exposure and PTSD, and the role of cumulative trauma exposure and memory as risk factors for PTSD in adults who self-reported having received an ASD diagnosis, compared to a typically developing (TD) comparison group. Methods: Questionnaires assessing self-reported frequency of trauma exposure (LEC), PTSD symptomology (PCL-S) and memory (EMQ- R and BRIEF-A) were completed online by 38 ASD adults and 44 TD adults. Results: Rates of trauma exposure and PTSD symptomatology were significantly higher in the ASD group, compared to the TD group, with deficits in working memory and everyday memory mediating this association. Interestingly, a cumulative effect of trauma exposure on PTSD symptom severity was only found in the ASD group. Conclusions: High rates of trauma and probable PTSD in ASD adults highlight the importance of routine screening. Cumulative trauma exposure and memory deficits may act to increase risk of PTSD in ASD; longitudinal research is called for.