EXPLAINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUTISTIC TRAITS AND MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS IN YOUNG ADULTS: EXPLORING THE MODERATING ROLE OF EMOTION REGULATION STRATEGIES FOR NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE EMOTIONS

Abstract

Background. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and individuals without a diagnosis but with elevated autistic traits (ATs) present with more mental health conditions. Difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) have been suggested as a mechanism explaining these increased psychiatric comorbidities. Extant research has, however, focused almost exclusively on ER strategies in managing negative emotions; less is understood on ER strategy use for positive emotions. Aims. This study aimed to better understand the role of ER strategies for both negative and positive emotions in mental health symptoms and in relation to ATs; in particular, whether ER strategies moderate the relationship between ATs and mental health symptoms. Methods. Self-report data on ATs, mental health symptoms, and ER strategies for negative emotions (rumination, suppression, reappraisal) and positive emotions (dampening, savouring, positive rumination) were obtained from 198 university students. Results. ATs were positively associated with rumination, suppression, and dampening; these were in turn positively associated with mental health symptoms. ATs were negatively associated with savouring and positive rumination; these were negatively associated with mental health symptoms. Moderation analyses showed that the positive relationships between ATs and mental health symptoms were stronger at higher levels of suppression. The relationship between ATs and internalising symptoms was also stronger at lower levels of savouring and higher levels of dampening. Conclusion. The results suggest that regulatory processes for positive emotions and differential use of ER strategies (i.e. suppression, savouring, dampening) may contribute to the increased rates of mental health symptoms in individuals with elevated ATs. These need to be replicated with longitudinal designs and autistic individuals.