ERIC Number: EJ1474298
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: EISSN-1573-3432
Available Date: 2024-05-03
The Role of Everyday Executive Function in Observed Social Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v55 n7 p2217-2227 2025
Recent research suggests there may be differences in the social presentations of autistic males and females. Camouflaging is believed to account for some of these differences and executive function (EF) may support compensatory social behaviors. As few studies have explored the role of sex and everyday EF when evaluating specific social difficulties among autistic youth, the present study seeks to address this. The Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) was used to measure types of social difficulties and the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2) served as a measure of everyday EF. Four three-step hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted with SRS-2 social subscales as dependent variables. Autism symptom severity, BRIEF-2 EF Indices (i.e., behavioral, emotional, and cognitive regulation), and sex served as independent variables. Types of EF impairment significantly predicted social symptoms of autism. Behavioral dysregulation predicted all social symptoms assessed, cognitive dysregulation predicted social awareness and communication challenges, and emotion dysregulation predicted social motivation and communication difficulties. Sex significantly predicted social communication and cognition challenges, beyond the contributions of age, IQ, autism severity, and EF impairment. Findings from this study provide evidence for the contribution of EF to observed social symptoms of autism. Results suggest there may be sex-based differences in the relationship between EF and social problems for autistic youth. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Descriptors: Executive Function, Gender Differences, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Autism Spectrum Disorders, Severity (of Disability), Predictor Variables, Interpersonal Competence, Behavior Problems, Early Adolescents
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH), Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Social Responsiveness Scale; Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule; Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
Grant or Contract Numbers: MH111599; UL1TR000445
Author Affiliations: 1Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, USA; 2Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Nashville, USA; 3Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology, Nashville, USA