title: Autobiographical memory and social problem-solving in Asperger syndrome.
abstract: Difficulties in social interaction are a central feature of Asperger syndrome. Effective social interaction involves the ability to solve interpersonal problems as and when they occur. Here we examined social problem-solving in a group of adults with Asperger syndrome and control group matched for age, gender and IQ. We also assessed autobiographical memory, on a cueing task and during social problem-solving, and examined the relationship between access to specific past experiences and social problem-solving ability. Results demonstrated a social problem-solving impairment in the Asperger group. Their solutions were less detailed, less effective and less extended in time. Autobiographical memory performance was also impaired with significantly longer latencies to retrieve specific memories and fewer specific memories retrieved in comparison to controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW, United Kingdom. l.goddard@gold.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Howlin
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dritschel
authors.forename: Trishna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D014888:Wechsler Scales