title: High self-perceived stress and poor coping in intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Despite average intellectual capacity, autistic traits may complicate performance in many everyday situations, thus leading to stress. This study focuses on stress in everyday life in intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorders. In total, 53 adults (25 with autism spectrum disorder and 28 typical adults from the general population) completed the Perceived Stress Scale. Autistic traits were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. Adults with autism spectrum disorder reported significantly higher subjective stress and poorer ability to cope with stress in everyday life, as compared to typical adults. Autistic traits were associated with both subjective stress/distress and coping in this cross-sectional series. The long-term consequences of chronic stress in everyday life, as well as treatment intervention focusing on stress and coping, should be addressed in future research as well as in the clinical management of intellectually able adults with autism spectrum disorder.
authors: Department of Children's and Women's Health, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet (KIND), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Habilitation & Health, Unit of Research Development and Eduction, Stockholm, Sweden tatja.hirvikoski@ki.se.
authors: Tatja
authors: T
authors: Hirvikoski
authors: Department of Dental Medicine, Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden Northern Stockholm Psychiatry Clinic, St Göran Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: My
authors: M
authors: Blomqvist
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Asperger syndrome; adults; autism spectrum disorder; autistic traits; coping; high-functioning autism; perceived stress; stress