title: Investigating emotional impairments in adults with autism spectrum disorders and the broader autism phenotype.
abstract: There is an increasing interest in the socio-affective atypicalities observed in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to further explore emotional responsiveness in adults with ASD using well-validated self-reports of alexithymia and to determine whether anhedonic features are part of a broader autism phenotype (BAP). Participants comprised 38 adults with ASD, 87 parents of ASD individuals and 47 typical controls. All participants completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and the Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, as well as the Chapman Physical and Social Anhedonia Scales. The ASD group differed from controls and parents on most measures, with the exception of physical and social anhedonia, relative to parents. Parents differed from controls on social anhedonia, and a higher proportion of parents were classed as alexithymic, relative to controls. Cluster analysis revealed that some parents share more similarities with ASD participants than with controls. The results suggest that socio-affective impairments characteristic of ASD are part of the BAP.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM U669), Maison de Solenn-Cochin, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berthoz
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lalanne
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Elisabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alexithymia; Anxiety; Depression; Physical anhedonia; Psychometrics; Social anhedonia