Objective and subjective psychosocial outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A 6-year longitudinal study.
Anke M Scheeren, J Marieke Buil, Patricia Howlin and 2 others
PMID 34169776WHAT IT FOUND
Over six years, autistic adults showed a small increase in objective functioning and subjective well-being.
Higher intellectual ability predicted better objective outcomes, while co-occurring psychiatric conditions and more autism traits predicted lower initial levels. No gender differences were found in outcomes or change over time.
Key findings
01Objective psychosocial functioning increased from the second half of the study (T2 to T4), and subjective well-being increased linearly over the entire period.
02Higher intellectual ability and older age predicted higher initial objective functioning, while co-occurring psychiatric conditions and more autism traits predicted lower initial objective functioning.
03There were no gender differences in the initial levels or changes over time for either objective psychosocial functioning or subjective well-being.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample had a comparatively high estimated intellectual ability (61.6% IQ > 115) and late age of diagnosis (mean 33.8 years), so results may not generalize to those with intellectual disability or early childhood diagnosis. Non-binary individuals were excluded from the analysis. Participants with missing data had lower initial subjective well-being, indicating possible selective attrition. Intellectual ability and psychiatric conditions were based on self- or proxy-report rather than standardized clinical assessment. Objective functioning measures (employment, living, friendship) were broad categories and may not capture the quality of these experiences.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that higher intellectual ability always leads to higher happiness. In this study, higher intellectual ability predicted lower initial subjective well-being, particularly in younger adults, even though it predicted better objective outcomes like employment and independent living.