Autistic traits and negative emotions in the general population during COVID-19: Mediating roles of the behavioural immune system and COVID-19 risk perception. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Xudong; Shi, Wendian; Li, Xiujun; Li, Wenrui; Li, Chunbo
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 300(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Autism spectrum disorder -- Autistic traits -- Negative emotions -- Behavioural immune system -- Perceived risk -- COVID-19; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113918
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: Examined the link between ATs and negative emotional response to COVID-19 and mediators. ATs predict increased emotional response to COVID-19. Trait pathogen avoidance mediates the link between ATs and negative emotions. COVID-19 risk perception mediates the link between ATs and negative emotions. Abstract: Identifying the susceptibility factors of the emotional response to COVID-19 is highly significant for the psychological epidemic-crisis intervention, and autistic-related traits (ATs) is likely to be one of the candidate factors. The current study explored the relationships between ATs, emotional response to COVID-19, and the behavioural immune system (BIS) measured by trait pathogen avoidance and COVID-19 risk perception in the general population. The results showed that ATs predicted increased negative emotions directly and indirectly by enhancing the activation tendency of BIS and COVID-19 risk perception. The findings provide a candidate hypothesis for the reaction characteristics to pathogen threats in individuals with ASD and expand the understanding of individual differences in response to COVID-19.