ERIC Number: EJ1423372
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-May
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Experiences Involving Violence or Sexual Abuse in a Clinical Sample of Autistic Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: Prevalence and Clinical Correlates
Arvid Nikolai Kildahl; Sissel Berge Helverschou
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v28 n5 p1075-1089 2024
Autistic people appear to be at increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, and experiences involving violence or sexual abuse appear to be common in this population. However, knowledge concerning trauma in autistic people with co-occurring intellectual disabilities is limited. In this cross-sectional study, we explored the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as the prevalence and clinical correlates of reported experiences of violence and sexual abuse, in a clinical sample of 88 autistic adults with intellectual disabilities referred for mental health assessment. Only three participants (3.4%) were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, even if experiences involving violence (34.1%) or sexual abuse (17.0%) were common. Anxiety and affective disorders were common diagnoses among participants with these experiences. Controlling for autism characteristics, level of intellectual disability and communication skills, experiences of violence/sexual abuse were found to be associated with a measure of 'challenging' behaviours (Aberrant Behaviour Checklist). These results indicate that potentially traumatic experiences are common in autistic adults with intellectual disabilities referred for mental health assessment and that post-traumatic stress disorder may be under-recognised. The findings highlight the importance of trauma screening and post-traumatic stress disorder assessment, as well as the importance of trauma-informed care, in this population.
Descriptors: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Violence, Sexual Abuse, Adults, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disability, Incidence, Mental Health, Anxiety, Mental Disorders, Individual Characteristics, Behavior Problems, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Norway
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Aberrant Behavior Checklist; Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A