The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model
Background: Social isolation can be particularly challenging for individuals with high autistic traits who struggle with social interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased isolation, exacerbating stress for those who may have difficulty in connecting with others. This study aimed to explore...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024021133 |
| _version_ | 1797267767358914560 |
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| author | Min Shao Shu Luo Huiling Qian Xiaoran Li Zilong Wei Mingyu Hong Junyao Wang Xiong Li Jing Meng |
| author_facet | Min Shao Shu Luo Huiling Qian Xiaoran Li Zilong Wei Mingyu Hong Junyao Wang Xiong Li Jing Meng |
| author_sort | Min Shao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Social isolation can be particularly challenging for individuals with high autistic traits who struggle with social interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased isolation, exacerbating stress for those who may have difficulty in connecting with others. This study aimed to explore the relationship between autistic traits and stress associated with social isolation. Methods: A sample of 1597 Chinese adults completed measures of autistic traits, the stress of social isolation, psychological inflexibility and core self-evaluation, during an epidemic prevention and control period of COVID-19 in Chongqing, China. Measures included the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Coronavirus Stress Measure, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Core Self-Evaluation Scale. Results: Autistic traits were positively correlated with the stress of social isolation, which was mediated by the chain effect of core self-evaluation and psychological inflexibility. individuals with high autistic traits reported significantly higher stress than individuals with low autistic traits. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study, which limits causal inference. In addition, data were self-reported, which may cause methodological effects. Finally, this study was conducted during China's quarantine policy and external validation of the findings is required. Conclusions: Autistic traits are positively associated with the stress of social isolation. Autistic traits affected core self-evaluation first, and psychological inflexibility subsequently, leading to the stress of social isolation. individuals with high autistic traits tended to experience higher levels of stress during pandemic quarantines. The findings provide useful evidence for developing interventions and implementing preventive measures to reduce stress in individuals with high autistic traits and autism spectrum disorder. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:38:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d1f6b8896f5245a78427751319a49da5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:21:49Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-d1f6b8896f5245a78427751319a49da52024-03-09T09:27:09ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-02-01104e26082The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory modelMin Shao0Shu Luo1Huiling Qian2Xiaoran Li3Zilong Wei4Mingyu Hong5Junyao Wang6Xiong Li7Jing Meng8Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaStudent Mental Health Education and Consultation Center, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaResearch Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaBasic Teaching Department, Shandong Water Conservancy Vocational College, Shandong, ChinaResearch Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaResearch Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaResearch Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, ChinaFaculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, ChinaResearch Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China; Corresponding author. Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China.Background: Social isolation can be particularly challenging for individuals with high autistic traits who struggle with social interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased isolation, exacerbating stress for those who may have difficulty in connecting with others. This study aimed to explore the relationship between autistic traits and stress associated with social isolation. Methods: A sample of 1597 Chinese adults completed measures of autistic traits, the stress of social isolation, psychological inflexibility and core self-evaluation, during an epidemic prevention and control period of COVID-19 in Chongqing, China. Measures included the Autism-Spectrum Quotient, Coronavirus Stress Measure, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and Core Self-Evaluation Scale. Results: Autistic traits were positively correlated with the stress of social isolation, which was mediated by the chain effect of core self-evaluation and psychological inflexibility. individuals with high autistic traits reported significantly higher stress than individuals with low autistic traits. Limitations: This was a cross-sectional study, which limits causal inference. In addition, data were self-reported, which may cause methodological effects. Finally, this study was conducted during China's quarantine policy and external validation of the findings is required. Conclusions: Autistic traits are positively associated with the stress of social isolation. Autistic traits affected core self-evaluation first, and psychological inflexibility subsequently, leading to the stress of social isolation. individuals with high autistic traits tended to experience higher levels of stress during pandemic quarantines. The findings provide useful evidence for developing interventions and implementing preventive measures to reduce stress in individuals with high autistic traits and autism spectrum disorder.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024021133Autistic traitsStressSocial isolationPsychological inflexibilityCore self-evaluation |
| spellingShingle | Min Shao Shu Luo Huiling Qian Xiaoran Li Zilong Wei Mingyu Hong Junyao Wang Xiong Li Jing Meng The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model Heliyon Autistic traits Stress Social isolation Psychological inflexibility Core self-evaluation |
| title | The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model |
| title_full | The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model |
| title_fullStr | The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model |
| title_short | The relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation: Development of an explanatory model |
| title_sort | relationship between autistic traits and the stress of social isolation development of an explanatory model |
| topic | Autistic traits Stress Social isolation Psychological inflexibility Core self-evaluation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024021133 |
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