Diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depression symptoms in autistic and neurotypical early adolescents.

This study looked at depression in 212 autistic and non-autistic young teens. It found that autistic teens, especially girls, may have higher depression risk. Autistic teens more often had depression symptoms involving relationship problems and low self-worth. Both autistic boys and girls showed similar depression patterns, but both were different from non-autistic teens of the same sex. The research suggests specific areas to focus on when helping autistic teens with depression.

This study examined depression symptoms in 212 autistic and neurotypical early adolescents, exploring how diagnosis and sex influence symptom severity and type. Results indicated that autism spectrum disorder and female sex may increase depression risk. Autistic adolescents more frequently experienced depressive symptoms related to interpersonal problems and negative self-esteem compared to neurotypical peers. While autistic males and females showed similar depression severity and patterns, both groups differed from their sex-matched neurotypical counterparts.

In a clinical subsample with elevated depression scores, autistic adolescents more commonly endorsed beliefs of worthlessness. These findings provide initial guidance for targeted depression interventions in autistic early adolescents.

Findings suggest depression interventions for autistic early adolescents should target interpersonal skills, self-esteem, and worthlessness beliefs. Female autistic adolescents may require enhanced screening and support. Sex-matched comparisons indicate the need for tailored approaches rather than generic interventions.

Sample size details not fully reported. Study type unclear, limiting assessment of methodology strength. Cross-sectional design cannot establish causality. Clinical subsample analysis was exploratory, requiring replication in larger samples.

Depression is more common in autistic adolescents than their neurotypical peers, but the effects of diagnosis and sex on the severity and types of depressive symptoms remain unclear. The study explored diagnostic- and sex-based differences in depressive symptoms in 212 autistic and neurotypical early adolescents. Results show that autism spectrum disorder and female may pose elevated risks, and depressive symptoms related to interpersonal problems and negative self-esteem are more frequent in autism spectrum disorder. Autistic males and females endorsed similar severity and type of depressive symptoms, but unique differences emerged when compared to sex-matched neurotypical peers.

Exploratory analyses in a clinical subsample of early adolescents with elevated depressive symptoms (Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition, Total-score ⩾60) revealed more endorsement of beliefs of worthlessness in autistic early adolescents. Findings suggest initial intervention targets for treating depression in autistic early adolescents.