2 - (SYM 100) Specific Emotion Dysregulation Presentations Differentially Predict Autistic Traits in Youth

Emotion dysregulation (ED) refers to difficulties regulating emotions in response to environmental triggers (Gross, 2007), and is considered a transdiagnostic construct contributing to both the maintenance and development of several mental health disorders (Uhl et al., 2019). Recent meta-analysis suggests that the magnitude of ED severity is higher in autistic people than non-autistic clinical populations (McDonald, in prep). ED in autistic individuals predicts not only challenges with social communication and interaction (SCI) and increased repetitive and restrictive behaviors (RRBs; Samson et al., 2015), but also anxiety, suicidality, and reduced quality of life (Vasa et al., 2018; Conner et al., 2020). Recent theories propose that different presentations of ED, namely affective control (ED-reactivity [ED-R] vs. affective experience (ED-dysphoria [ED-D]), may uniquely predict increased severity of autistic traits (Mazefsky et al., 2014). Better understanding of these unique facets of ED in relation to autistic traits can lead to better specificity in phenotyping, which can lead to more effective treatment approaches that can reduce challenges associated with autistic traits across both autistic and non-autistic populations.
 

Forty-four verbally-fluent youth (M_age=10.14, SD_age=3.03; M_IQ=108.91, SD_IQ=22.3; 62% white; 50% male) participated in this study. On the Autism Observation Diagnostic Schedule-2 (ADOS-2; Lord et al., 2009), 22 youth met the criteria for autism spectrum. Parents completed measures of ED (Emotion Dysregulation Inventory; Mazefsky et al., 2014), SCI (Social Responsiveness Scale-2; Constantino et al., 2012), and RRBs (Repetitive Behavior Scale-R; Lam et al., 2007).
 

Path analysis examining the four direct effects of ED-R and ED-D on RRBs and SCI indicated that increased ED-D significantly predicted greater SCI (b=.66, p < .001) and RRBs (b=.32, p < .01). However, greater ED-R was only related to increased RRBs b= .132, p</em>=.29).
 

Findings suggest that domains of ED may differentially predict autistic traits. While affective experiences of ED may be uniquely related to SCI challenges, both affective experiences and limited control may relate to more RRBs, supporting theories that RRBs may act as an emotional coping mechanism (Mazefsky et al., 2014). Thus, ED may be an important target in CBT for addressing SCI challenges and RRBs, and clinicians should consider more specific aspects of ED in supporting those with autistic traits depending on individual presentation.