A systematic review of predictors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among autistic adults: Making the case for the role of social connection as a protective factor.

This research review looked at studies about suicide risk in autistic adults. It found that problems with relationships and depression are the most common factors studied. The researchers say that having good social connections might protect autistic adults from suicidal thoughts. They also found that more research is needed using better methods, including focusing on people with actual autism diagnoses rather than just autism traits.

This systematic review analyzed 45 studies examining suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) among autistic adults. The review found that interpersonal constructs (42.4% of studies) and depressive symptoms (36.4% of studies) were the most frequently studied factors related to suicide risk. The authors emphasize social connection as a key protective factor and highlight the need for disorder-specific understanding of suicide risk in autism. The review identifies methodological concerns including overreliance on autistic symptoms rather than formal diagnoses, measurement issues with STBs assessment, and the need for adapted treatments.

The findings support developing autism-specific suicide prevention approaches focusing on social and interpersonal factors.

Clinicians should prioritize screening for depression and suicidal ideation in autistic adults, with particular attention to social and interpersonal functioning. Social connection interventions may be protective. Treatment approaches need autism-specific adaptations rather than standard protocols.

The review identifies significant methodological concerns including overreliance on autistic symptoms rather than formal diagnoses, measurement issues in assessing suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and limited treatment adaptation research. Sample size for the review itself was not reported.

Autistic adults are a high-risk population for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). Accordingly, this systematic review aims to review the prevalence of STBs among autistic adults, review the risk and protective factors for STBs in autistic adults, and formulate a disorder-specific conceptualization of risk in this population. We systematically searched PsycINFO and Google Scholar for all studies published prior to March 28th, 2022. We included empirical articles focused on autistic adults, ages 18 years and older, reporting on suicide-related outcomes.

In total, 45 peer-reviewed empirical articles were included in the current systematic review. The most frequently studied factors in relation to suicide risk among autistic adults were interpersonal constructs (42.4% of total studies looking at risk/protective factors) and depressive symptoms (36.4% of total studies looking at risk/protective factors). We conclude by summarize two key content areas: exploring social and interpersonal constructs and better understanding the role of depressive symptoms in autism. As researchers continue to explore STBs among autistic adults, it will be necessary to addressing the overreliance on autistic symptoms instead of autism diagnoses, measurement issues of STBs, and a need for treatment adaptations.