A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis
Certain individuals are clinically undiagnosed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but exhibit strong ASD characteristics. This study examined the differences between a control group and a “high autistic traits” group involving individuals who scored 9 or higher on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient-16 Jap...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/12/1927 |
| _version_ | 1797381581399130112 |
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| author | Tomoko Omiya Naoko Kumada Deguchi Takashi Asakura |
| author_facet | Tomoko Omiya Naoko Kumada Deguchi Takashi Asakura |
| author_sort | Tomoko Omiya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Certain individuals are clinically undiagnosed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but exhibit strong ASD characteristics. This study examined the differences between a control group and a “high autistic traits” group involving individuals who scored 9 or higher on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient-16 Japanese Version, based on their sense of belonging, help-seeking style, and relationship with mental health. The participants were 608 Japanese public high school students. Of them, 129 (21.2%) and 479 (78.8%) were in the high autistic traits and control groups, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) as the dependent variable for the groups. The analysis revealed no differences between the two groups regarding grade, gender, physical illness, insomnia, or mental health status; however, they differed regarding avoidant help-seeking style and teacher acceptance. Moreover, avoidant help-seeking scores in the high autistic traits group and teacher acceptance showed a significantly positive and significantly negative association with GHQ, respectively. The results indicated that children with autistic traits internally suppress them, experiencing distress. Teachers are aware that these students seek support from them, but the students seem reluctant to ask them for help. This can negatively impact the mental health of children with high autistic traits. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:53:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2b9701680ae24f8a823eed6a4b504eb1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:53:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-2b9701680ae24f8a823eed6a4b504eb12023-12-22T14:00:31ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-12-011012192710.3390/children10121927A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without DiagnosisTomoko Omiya0Naoko Kumada Deguchi1Takashi Asakura2Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, JapanFaculty of Education, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8017, JapanLaboratory of Health and Social Behavior, Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei 184-8501, JapanCertain individuals are clinically undiagnosed for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but exhibit strong ASD characteristics. This study examined the differences between a control group and a “high autistic traits” group involving individuals who scored 9 or higher on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient-16 Japanese Version, based on their sense of belonging, help-seeking style, and relationship with mental health. The participants were 608 Japanese public high school students. Of them, 129 (21.2%) and 479 (78.8%) were in the high autistic traits and control groups, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) as the dependent variable for the groups. The analysis revealed no differences between the two groups regarding grade, gender, physical illness, insomnia, or mental health status; however, they differed regarding avoidant help-seeking style and teacher acceptance. Moreover, avoidant help-seeking scores in the high autistic traits group and teacher acceptance showed a significantly positive and significantly negative association with GHQ, respectively. The results indicated that children with autistic traits internally suppress them, experiencing distress. Teachers are aware that these students seek support from them, but the students seem reluctant to ask them for help. This can negatively impact the mental health of children with high autistic traits.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/12/1927adolescenceautism spectrum disorderhigh autistic traitsmental healthhelp-seeking stylehigh-school students |
| spellingShingle | Tomoko Omiya Naoko Kumada Deguchi Takashi Asakura A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis Children adolescence autism spectrum disorder high autistic traits mental health help-seeking style high-school students |
| title | A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis |
| title_full | A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis |
| title_fullStr | A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis |
| title_short | A Sense of Belonging and Help Seeking: Examining Factors Related to the Mental Health of High School Students with High Autistic Traits without Diagnosis |
| title_sort | sense of belonging and help seeking examining factors related to the mental health of high school students with high autistic traits without diagnosis |
| topic | adolescence autism spectrum disorder high autistic traits mental health help-seeking style high-school students |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/10/12/1927 |
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