Adolescence internalizing problems as a mediator between autism diagnosis in childhood and quality of life in emerging adults with and without autism: a 10-year longitudinal study.

This study followed children for 10 years to understand why autistic adults often have lower quality of life. Researchers found that mental health struggles like anxiety and depression during the teenage years fully explained this difference. The study suggests that helping autistic teenagers manage anxiety and depression could significantly improve their quality of life as adults.

This 10-year longitudinal study examined how mental health problems in adolescence affect the relationship between childhood autism diagnosis and quality of life in emerging adulthood. Following 66 participants from age 12 to 22, researchers found that internalizing problems (such as anxiety and depression) in adolescence fully explained why autistic individuals had lower quality of life as young adults. Externalizing problems (such as aggression or hyperactivity) did not show this mediating effect. The study suggests that addressing internalizing mental health issues during adolescence is crucial for improving long-term quality of life outcomes for autistic individuals.

Results emphasize the importance of identifying and treating internalizing mental health problems during adolescence in autistic individuals. Early intervention for anxiety and depression may be key to preventing poor quality of life outcomes in adulthood.

Small sample size of 66 participants limits generalizability. The study design and specific measurement tools are not fully detailed in the abstract. Long-term follow-up may involve participant attrition that could bias results.

Individuals with autism tend to have a reduced quality of life across their lifespan. This reduced quality of life may be a result of autism traits, mental distress, and poor person/environment fit. In this longitudinal study, we looked at the role of adolescence internalizing and externalizing problems in mediating the relationship between having an autism diagnosis from childhood and perceived quality of life as emerging adults. A total of 66 participants in a group of emerging adults with autism (mean age 22.2 years), and without autism (mean age 20.9 years) were assessed in three assessment waves (T1 at 12 years, T2 at 14 years, and T3 at 22 years of age).

Parents filled out the Child Behavior Checklist at T2 and participants filled out the Perceived Quality of Life Questionnaire at T3. Total and indirect effects were tested in serial mediation analysis. The results showed that internalizing problems fully mediated the association between childhood autism diagnosis and the quality of life in emerging adulthood, while externalizing problems did not. Our findings suggest that attention to adolescent internalizing problems is important to improve the later quality of life for emerging adults with autism.