Autistic traitsare associated with difficulties in processing and adapting to new information, particularly in uncertain situations.
Individuals with higher autistic traits often experience challenges with cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation, which can lead toincreased anxietywhen faced with unpredictable circumstances.
The need for routine and predictability, common in autism spectrum disorder, may intensify feelings of fear and discomfort during times of widespread uncertainty, such as a global pandemic.
Understanding this relationship is crucial for developing effective support strategies and interventions for neurodiverse populations during crises, as well as for gaining insights into how autistic traits in the general population may influence responses to uncertain situations.
Key Points
Rationale
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted daily life and caused widespread psychological distress.
Previous research has shown that individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), may be particularly vulnerable to heightened anxiety and fear during crises (Sideropoulos et al., 2022).
However, less is known about how subclinical autistic traits in the general population relate to pandemic fear.
Given that autistic traits exist on a continuum in the broader population, examining their association with COVID-19 fear could provide insights relevant to supporting neurodiverse individuals.
Additionally, understanding factors that influence pandemic-related fear is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support strategies.
Method
Procedure
Participants completed an online questionnaire distributed via social media platforms. The survey included demographic questions, the AQ to assess autistic traits, and the FCV-19S to measure fear related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sample
Measures
Statistical Measures
Results
Hypothesis 1:Autistic traits will positively correlate with fear of COVID-19.Result:A weak but significant positive correlation was found between AQ scores and FCV-19S scores (r=0.16, p=0.01).
Hypothesis 2:Specific autistic traits will show stronger relationships with pandemic fear.Result:Difficulties in attention switching showed the strongest correlation with FCV-19S scores (r=0.16, p=0.02). Other AQ subscales did not show significant correlations.
Hypothesis 3:Age will be positively associated with fear of COVID-19.Result:A weak but significant positive correlation was found between age and FCV-19S scores (r=0.15, p<0.05).
Additional findings:
Insight
This study provides evidence that higher levels of autistic traits, particularly difficulties with attention switching, are associated with increased fear of the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population.
The findings suggest that cognitive inflexibility and challenges in regulating emotions, which are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder, may contribute to heightened pandemic-related anxiety even in individuals without a clinical diagnosis.
The relationship between attention switching difficulties and pandemic fear is particularly noteworthy. This suggests that individuals who struggle to shift their focus or adapt to new situations may be more prone to fixating on pandemic-related threats, leading to increased fear and anxiety.
Future research could explore interventions targeting cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation to help individuals with higher autistic traits cope with pandemic-related stress.
Additionally, investigating how different aspects of the pandemic (e.g., social distancing, disrupted routines) specifically impact those with higher autistic traits could inform more tailored support strategies.
Strengths
This study had several methodological strengths, including:
Limitations
This study also had several methodological limitations, including:
These limitations impact the generalizability of the findings and highlight the need for more diverse and representative samples in future research on this topic.
Implications
The results of this study have several important implications:
These implications highlight the importance of considering neurodiversity in public health responses and mental health interventions, particularly during times of widespread societal stress and change.
References
Primary reference
Bieczek, D., Ściślicka, A., Bobowska, A., Tomsia, F., Wilczyński, K. M., & Janas-Kozik, M. (2024). Relationship of autistic traits and the severity of fear of the COVID-19 pandemic in the general population.Frontiers in Psychiatry,15, 1260444.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1260444
Other references
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Saul McLeod, PhD
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester
Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc
BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education
Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.
