ERIC Number: EJ1372914
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Apr
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
A Comparison of the Content and Nature of Worries of Autistic and Neurotypical Young People as They Transition from School
Waldman, Jack; McPaul, Ann; Jahoda, Andrew
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n3 p667-678 Apr 2023
The prevalence of anxiety is higher in autistic young people, compared to neurotypical youths. However, the nature of worry in autistic young people is under-researched. Transition from secondary school is a time of change and can be challenging for autistic adolescents. This project explored the content and emotional impact of worries in neurotypical and autistic young people during transition. Twenty-two autistic people and 22 neurotypical people, aged 16-18, were recruited from mainstream schools. Participants completed a novel task to identify and explore the nature of their main worries. The participants' worry frequency and distress levels in relation to their most salient concerns, and their anxiety levels, were measured. Content analysis highlighted similarities and differences between the two groups' worries. Both groups worried about failure and their prospects of further education. Autistic people were more concerned about change and friendship, whereas more salient worries for neurotypical individuals were about work and money. Autistic people were more distressed by their worries than neurotypical individuals. Findings regarding the nature of autistic young people's worries may help inform interventions. Moreover, asking autistic people about their worries as they leave school may help to address their concerns, ease their transition and reduce distress.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Anxiety, Late Adolescents, Stress Variables, Friendship, Employment, Income, Failure, Postsecondary Education, Secondary School Students, Change, Psychological Patterns, Perceptual Impairments, Education, Health, Interpersonal Relationship, Family (Sociological Unit)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A