Are autistic traits associated with suicidality? A test of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide in a non-clinical young adult sample.

The study was cross-sectional, so the mediation findings cannot show that autistic traits caused burdensomeness or belonging, or that these caused suicidal behavior. The sample was largely female undergraduate students and members of the general population, not a clinical autism spectrum condition population, so results may not apply to people with diagnosed autism or to other age groups. Lifetime suicidal behavior was measured with the first item of the SBQ-R, and responses were skewed, which can make statistical interpretation harder. All measures were self-report, and the authors note that autistic traits may affect understanding or reporting of items about belonging and burdensomeness, especially those requiring abstract language or perspective taking. The study did not test any intervention, so it cannot show that changing belonging, burdensomeness, or autistic traits reduces suicide risk.

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Do not read the mediation results as proof that autistic traits cause suicidal behavior or that reducing feelings of burden or belonging will prevent suicide. The study was cross-sectional and used self-report in a non-clinical young adult sample, so it shows association, not cause.