Lower help-seeking intentions mediate subsequent depressive symptoms among adolescents with high autistic traits: a population-based cohort study.

This study followed over 2,500 Japanese children from age 12 to 14. Children with more autistic traits were less likely to seek help when struggling and had more depression symptoms later. About 40% of children with high autistic traits said they wouldn't seek help, compared to 27% of other children. When they did seek help, both groups mainly turned to family. The researchers suggest teaching help-seeking skills before the teenage years, with parents involved, could help prevent depression.

This Japanese population-based cohort study followed 2,505 adolescents to examine help-seeking intentions and their relationship to depression among those with high autistic traits. At age 12, 8% were classified as having high autistic traits (AQhigh) based on parent ratings. The AQhigh group showed significantly lower help-seeking intentions (40% vs 27% had no intentions) and higher depressive symptoms at age 14. Lower help-seeking intentions mediated 18% of the association between high autistic traits and subsequent depression.

Both groups primarily sought help from family when they did seek support. The findings suggest that promoting help-seeking behaviors before adolescence, particularly with parental involvement, could reduce depression risk in autistic adolescents.

Early intervention programs should target help-seeking skills development before adolescence in children with autistic traits. Family involvement is crucial given their role as primary support source. Addressing help-seeking barriers could partially prevent depression development in this vulnerable population.

Single population-based cohort from Japan may limit generalizability to other cultures. Parent-rated autistic traits rather than clinical diagnosis used for classification. Study type not clearly specified in metadata, limiting assessment of methodological rigor.

Adolescents with high autistic traits are at increased risk of depression. Despite the importance of seeking help for early intervention, evidence on help-seeking intentions amongst this population is scarce. Using a population-based cohort in Japan, we examined adolescents' help-seeking intentions and preferences by the level of autistic traits and tested its mediating role on the association between high autistic traits and depressive symptoms. At age 12, we measured parent-rated autistic traits using the short version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient and classified the adolescents into two groups (≥ 6 as AQhigh, < 6 as AQlow); help-seeking intentions and preferences were assessed through a depression vignette.

At age 14, depressive symptoms were self-rated using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire. Hypothesised associations between autistic traits and help-seeking intentions or depressive symptoms were tested applying multivariable regression modelling, while mediation was tested with structural equation modelling. Of the 2505 adolescent participants, 200 (8%) were classified as AQhigh. In both groups, the main source of help-seeking was their family; however, 40% of the AQhigh group reported having no help-seeking intentions compared to 27% in the AQlow.

The AQhigh group was at increased risk of not having help-seeking intentions (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.35-2.50) and higher depressive symptoms (b coefficient 1.06, 0.33-1.79). Help-seeking intentions mediated 18% of the association mentioned above. Interventions to promote help-seeking intentions among adolescents with high autistic traits could reduce their subsequent depressive symptoms. Ideally, such interventions should be provided prior to adolescence and with the involvement of their parents.