ERIC Number: EJ1269964
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Relationship between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Anxiety in Autism: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Jenkinson, Richard; Milne, Elizabeth; Thompson, Andrew
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v24 n8 p1933-1944 Nov 2020
The association between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety has proved robust in neurotypical populations and has led to effective interventions targeting intolerance of uncertainty. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate this association in autistic people, given the high prevalence of anxiety in this population and the limited effectiveness of therapies used currently to treat anxiety in autism. A protocol was published on the Prospero database (CRD42019125315), and electronic databases were searched using terms related to intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and autism. Included in the systematic review were 12 studies, of which 10 were included in a meta-analysis. Results showed that anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty were consistently elevated in autistic participants. Examining the correlation between these two constructs, the meta-analysis revealed a large sample-weighted effect size, r=0.62, 95% confidence interval=[0.52, 0.71], p<0.001. The strength of this association was comparable to meta-analyses conducted on neurotypical populations, and therefore, it was concluded intolerance of uncertainty may be an appropriate target for intervention for autistic individuals. However, conclusions were limited due to the small number of relevant studies that were available and due to issues with methodological quality.
Descriptors: Ambiguity (Context), Anxiety Disorders, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Meta Analysis, Correlation, Psychological Patterns, Coping, Age Differences, Gender Differences, Intelligence Quotient, Predictor Variables
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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