Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Anxiety and Depression from Adolescence to Old Age in Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined age trends in anxious and depressive symptoms, from older adolescence to old age, and explored the association between anxious and depressive symptoms with gender, ASD severity, and socio-economic factors. Two hundred and fifty-five individuals with ASD (151 males, Mage = 33.52 years, SDage = 14.98) took part. More than one-third of participants reported clinically significant anxiety (38.4%) or depression (38%). A slight trend for an increase in the severity of both anxiety and depression from adolescence to middle adulthood, and then a slight decline in older adulthood was found. Female gender and higher ASD severity predicted more anxiety and depression symptoms. Our findings emphasise the need to provide timely assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression in ASD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold, S., Uljarević, M., Hwang, Y. I., Richdale, A. L., Trollor, J. N., & Lawson, L. P. (2019). Brief report: Psychometric properties of the patient health questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) in autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03947-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Attwood, T. (1998). Asperger’s syndrome: A guide for parents and professionals. Philadelphia: Kingsley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, E. K., & Richdale, A. L. (2015). Sleep patterns in adults with a diagnosis of high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Sleep, 38(11), 1765–1774.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Balfe, M., & Tantam, D. (2010). A descriptive social and health profile of a community sample of adults and adolescents with Asperger syndrome. BMC Research Notes, 3, 300.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 5–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beekman, A. T., Bremmer, M. A., Deeg, D. J., van Balkom, A. J., Smith, J. H., de Beurs, E., et al. (1998). Anxiety disorders in later life: A report from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(10), 717–726.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beekman, A. T., de Beurs, E., van Balkom, A. J., Deeg, D. J., van Dyck, R., & van Tilburg, W. (2000). Anxiety and depression in later life: Co-occurrence and communality of risk factors. American Journal of Psychiatry, 157(1), 89–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beesdo-Baum, K., Klotsche, J., Knappe, S., Craske, M. G., LeBeau, R. T., Hoyer, J., et al. (2012). Psychometric properties of the dimensional anxiety scales for DSM-5 in an unselected sample of German treatment seeking patients. Depression and Anxiety, 29(12), 1014–1024.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, S. (2004). Social skill deficits and anxiety in high-functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities, 19(2), 78–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellini, S. (2006). The development of social anxiety in high functioning adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 2(3), 138–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitsika, V., & Sharply, C. F. (2015). Differences in the prevalence, severity and symptom profiles of depression in boys and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder versus normally developing controls. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 62(2), 158–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blazer, D. G., Landerman, L. R., Hays, J. C., Simonsick, E. M., & Saunders, W. B. (1998). Symptoms of depression among community-dwelling elderly African-American and white older adults. Psychological Medicine, 28(6), 1311–1320.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brenes, G. A., Pennix, B. W. J. H., Judd, P. H., Rockwell, E., Sewell, D. D., & Wetherell, J. L. (2008). Anxiety, depression, and disability across the lifespan. Aging & Mental Health, 12(1), 158–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buck, T. R., Viskochil, J., Farley, M., Coon, H., McMahon, W. M., Morgan, J., et al. (2014). Psychiatric comorbidity and medication use in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(12), 3063–3071.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R. Y., & Richdale, A. L. (2016). Educational experiences and needs of higher education students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(1), 31–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R.-Y., Richdale, A. L., Dissanayake, C., Trollor, J., & Uljarević, M. (2019a). Emotion regulation in autism: Reappraisal and suppression interactions. Autism, 23(3), 737–749.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R. Y., Richdale, A., Dissanayake, C., & Uljarević, M. (2018a). Brief report: Inter-relationship between emotion regulation, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety, and depression in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(1), 316–325.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R. Y., Richdale, A., Dissanayake, C., & Uljarević, M. (2019b). How does emotion regulation strategy use and psychological wellbeing predict mood in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder? A naturalistic assessment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03934-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R. Y., Richdale, A., Dissanayake, C., & Uljarević, M. (2019c). Resting heart rate variability, emotion regulation, psychological wellbeing and autism symptomatology in adults with and without autism. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 137, 54–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, R. Y., Richdale, A., Uljarević, M., Dissanayake, C., & Samson, A. C. (2018b). Emotion regulation in autism spectrum disorder: Where we are and where we need to go. Autism Research, 11(7), 962–978.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cassidy, S., Bradley, P., Robinson, J., Allison, C., McHugh, M., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2014). Suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts in adults with Asperger’s syndrome attending a specialist diagnostic clinic: A clinical cohort study. Lancet Psychiatry, 1, 142–147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crane, L., Goddard, L., & Pring, L. (2011). Autobiographical memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder: The role of depressed mood, rumination, working memory and theory of mind. Autism, 17(2), 205–219.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croen, L. A., Zerbo, O., Qian, Y., Massolo, M. L., Rich, S., Sidney, S., et al. (2015). The health status of adults on the autism spectrum. Autism, 19(7), 814–823.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, T. E., III, Hess, J. A., Moree, B. N., Fodstad, J. C., Dempsey, T., Jenskins, W. S., et al. (2011). Anxiety symptoms across the lifespan in people diagnosed with autistic disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 112–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, T. E., III, White, S. W., & Ollendick, T. H. (2014). Handbook of autism and anxiety. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gadow, K. D., DeVincent, C. J., Pomeroy, J., & Azizian, A. (2005). Comparison of DSM-IV symptoms in elementary school-age children with PDD versus clinic and community samples. Autism, 9, 392–415.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • García-Villamisar, D., & Rojahn, J. (2015). Comorbid psychopathology and stress mediate the relationship between autistic traits and repetitive behaviours in adults with autism. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 59(2), 116–124.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geurts, H. M., Stek, M., & Comijs, H. (2016). Autism characteristics in older adults with depressive disorders. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(2), 161–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., & Billstedt, E. (2000). Autism and asperger syndrome: Coexistence with other clinical disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 102(5), 321–330.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillot, A., Furniss, F., & Walter, A. (2001). Anxiety in high-functioning children with autism. Autism, 5, 277–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glod, M., Jamieson, R., Cresswell, C., South, M., McConachie, H., & Rodgers, J. (2017). Comparisons of the factor structure and measurement invariance of the spence children’s anxiety scale—parent version in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing anxious children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(12), 3834–3846.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Halim, A. T., Richdale, A. L., & Uljarević, M. (2018). Exploring the nature of anxiety in young adults on the autism spectrum: A qualitative study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 55, 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, D., & Uljarević, M. (2018). Systematic review of suicide in autism spectrum disorder: Current trends and implications. Current Developmental Disorders Reports, 5(1), 65–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Cameron, L., Halder, S., Richdale, A., & Dissanayake, C. (2016). Employment programmes and interventions targeting adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review of the literature. Autism, 46(7), 2340–2348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Foley, K.-R., Richdale, A., & Trollor, J. (2018). Risk and protective factors underlying suicidal ideation in autism spectrum disorder. Depression and Anxiety, 35(7), 648–657.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Wilmot, M., Richdale, A., & Dissanayake, C. (2017). Social support, depression and suicidal ideation in adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(11), 3669–3677.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hedley, D., & Young, R. (2006). Social comparison processes and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome. Autism, 10(2), 139–153.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoekstra, R. A., Vinkhuyzen, A. A., Wheelwright, S., Bartels, M., Boomsma, D. I., Baron-Cohen, S., et al. (2011). The construction and validation of an abridged version of the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ-Short). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(5), 589–596.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hofvander, B., Delorme, R., Chaste, P., Nydén, A., Wentz, E., Ståhlberg, O., et al. (2009). Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 9(1), 35–44.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Joshi, G., Wozniak, J., Petty, C., Martelon, M. K., Fried, R., Bolfek, A., et al. (2013). Psychiatric comorbidity and functioning in a clinically referred population of adults with autism spectrum disorders: A comparative study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(6), 1314–1325.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerns, C. M., Kendall, P. C., Zickgraf, H., Franklin, M. E., Miller, J., & Herrington, J. (2015). Not to be overshadowed or overlooked: functional impairments associated with comorbid anxiety disorders in youth with ASD. Behavior Therapy, 46(1), 29–39.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Merikangas, K. R., & Walters, E. E. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives in General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., McGonagle, K. A., Zhao, S., Nelson, C. B., Hughes, M., Eshleman, S., et al. (1994). Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R psychiatric disorders in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Archives of General Psychiatry, 51, 8–19.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J., & Durden, E. (2007). Socioeconomic status and age trajectories of health. Social Science & Medicine, 65, 2489–2502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. A., Szatmari, P., Bryson, S. E., Streiner, D. L., & Wilson, F. J. (2000). The prevalence of anxiety and mood problems among children with autism and Asperger syndrome. Autism, 4, 117–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klin, A., & Volkmar, F. R. (2000). Treatment and intervention guidelines for individuals with Asperger syndrome. In A. Klin, F. R. Volkmar, & S. S. Sparrow (Eds.), Asperger syndrome (pp. 340–366). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knappe, S., Klotsche, J., Strobel, A., LeBeau, R. T., Craske, M. G., Wittchen, H. U., et al. (2013). Dimensional anxiety scales for DSM-5: Sensitivity to clinical severity. European Psychiatry, 28(7), 448–456.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. (2001). The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16, 606–613.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, M.-C., Baron-Cohen, S., & Buxbaum, J. (2015). Understanding autism in the light of sex/gender. Molecular Autism, 6, 24.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • LeBeau, R. T., Glenn, D. E., Hanover, L. N., BeesdoBaum, K., Wittchen, H. U., & Craske, M. G. (2012). A dimensional approach to measuring anxiety for DSM-5. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 21(4), 258–272.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, L. O., Gatz, M., Pedersen, N. L., & Prescott, C. A. (2016). Anxiety trajectories in the second half of life: Genetic and environmental contributions over age. Psychology and Aging, 31(1), 101–113.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lenze, E. J., & Wetherell, J. L. (2011). A lifespan view of anxiety disorders. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13(4), 381–399.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lever, A. G., & Geurts, H. M. (2016). Psychiatric co-occurring symptoms and disorders in young, middle-aged, and older adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(6), 1916–1930.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Leyfer, O. T., Folstein, S. E., Bacalman, S., Davis, N. O., Dinh, E., Morgan, J., et al. (2006). Comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism: Interview development and rates of disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(7), 849–861.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lidstone, J., Uljarević, M., Sullivan, J., Rodgers, J., McConachie, H., Freeston, M., et al. (2013). Relations among restricted and repetitive behaviours, anxiety and sensory symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8(2), 82–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liew, S. M., Thevaraja, N., Hong, R. Y., & Magiati, I. (2015). The relationship between autistic traits and social anxiety, worry, obsessive-compulsive, and depressive symptoms: Specific and non-specific mediators in a student sample. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(3), 858–872.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loomes, R., Hull, L., & Mandy, W. P. L. (2017). What is the male-to-female ratio in autism spectrum disorder? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(6), 466–474.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lugnegård, T., Hallerbäck, M. U., & Gillberg, C. (2011). Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of asperger syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(5), 1910–1917.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magiati, I., Ler, J.-W., Hollocks, M., Uljarević, M., Rodgers, J., McConachie, H., et al. (2017). The measurement properties of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale- Parent version in a large international pooled sample of young people with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 10(10), 1629–1652.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D. (2018). Dying before their time: Addressing premature mortality among autistic people. Autism, 22(3), 234–235.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L. (1988). The psychopathology instrument for mentally retarded adults (PIMRA). Worthington, Ohio: International Diagnostic Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattila, M. L., Hurtig, T., Haapsamo, H., Jussila, K., Kuusikko-Gauffin, S., Kielinen, M., et al. (2010). Comorbid psychiatric disorders associated with Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism: A community- and clinic-based study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1080–1093.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayes, S. D., Calhoun, S. L., Murray, M. J., & Zahid, J. (2011). Variables associated with anxiety and depression in children with autism. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 23, 325–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M. O., & Petroski, G. F. (2015). Sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder: Examining the contributions of sensory over-responsivity and anxiety. Sleep Medicine, 16(2), 270–279.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazzone, L., Ruta, L., & Reale, L. (2012). Psychiatric comorbidities in asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: diagnostic challenges. Annals of General Psychiatry, 11, 16.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Moss, S., Prosser, H., Costello, H., Simpson, N., Patel, P., Rowe, S., et al. (1998). Reliability and validity of the PAS-ADD checklist for detecting psychiatric disorders in adults with intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 42(2), 173–183.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riby, D. M., Hanley, M., Kirk, H., Clark, F., Little, K., Fleck, R., et al. (2014). The interplay between anxiety and social functioning in Williams syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(5), 1220–1229.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Richdale, A. L., Baker, E., Short, M., & Gradisar, M. (2014). The role of insomnia, presleep arousal and psychopathology symptoms in daytime impairment in adolescents with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Sleep Medicine, 15(9), 1082–1088.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. N., Helzer, J. E., Weissman, M. M., Orvaschel, H., Gruenberg, E., Burke, J. D., Jr., et al. (1984). Lifetime prevalence of specific psychiatric disorders in three sites. Archives of General Psychiatry, 41(10), 949–958.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Riby, D. M., Janes, E., Connolly, B., & McConachie, H. (2012). Anxiety and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorders and williams syndrome: A cross-syndrome comparison. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(2), 175–180.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, J., Wigham, S., McConachie, H., Freeston, M., Honey, E., & Parr, J. R. (2016). Development of the anxiety scale for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASC-ASD). Autism Research, 9, 1205–1215.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roy, M., Prox-Vagedes, V., Ohlmeier, M. D., & Dillo, W. (2015). Beyond childhood: Psychiatric comorbidities and social background of adults with Asperger syndrome. Psychiatria Danubia, 27(1), 50–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, A. J., Murphy, C. M., Wilson, E., Gillan, N., Brown, C., Robertson, D. M., et al. (2015). The mental health of individuals referred for assessment of autism spectrum disorder in adulthood: A clinic report. Autism, 20(5), 623–627.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Settipiani, C. A., Puleo, C. M., Conner, B. T., & Kendall, P. (2013). Characteristics and anxiety symptom presentation associated with autism spectrum traits in youth with anxiety disorders. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(3), 459–467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: Prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(8), 921–929.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • South, M., & Rodgers, J. (2017). Sensory, emotional and cognitive contributions to anxiety in autism spectrum disorders. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 20.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, M. E., Barnard, L., Pearson, J., Hasan, R., & O’Brien, G. (2006). Presentation of depression in autism and Asperger syndrome: A review. Autism, 10(1), 103–116.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sukhodolsky, D. G., Scahill, L., Gadow, K. D., Arnold, L. E., Aman, M. G., McDougle, C. J., et al. (2008). Parent-rated anxiety symptoms in children with pervasive developmental disorders: Frequency and association with core autism symptoms and cognitive functioning. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36, 117–128.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suttin, A. R., Terracciano, A., Milaneschi, Y., An, Y., Ferrucci, L., & Zonderman, A. B. (2013). The trajectory of depressive symptoms across the adult life span. JAMA Psychiatry, 70(8), 803–811.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2014). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). London: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tantam, D. (2000). Psychological disorder in adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome. Autism, 4, 47–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Totsika, V., Felce, D., Kerr, M., & Hastingsm, R. P. (2010). Behavior problems, psychiatric symptoms, and quality of life for older adults with intellectual disability with and without autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(10), 1171–1178.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trollor, J. N., Anderson, T. M., Sachdev, P. S., Brodaty, H., & Anderson, G. (2007a). Prevalence of mental disorders in the elderly: The Australian National mental health and well-being survey. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(6), 455–466.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trollor, J. N., Anderson, T. M., Sachdev, P. S., Brodaty, H., & Anderson, G. (2007b). Age shall not weary them: Mental health in the middle-aged and the elderly. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 41(7), 581–589.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uljarević, M., Nuske, H., & Vivanti, G. (2016). Anxiety in autism spectrum disorder. In L. Mazzone & B. Vitiello (Eds.), Psychiatry comorbidity in autism spectrum disorders (pp. 21–38). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uljarević, M., Richdale, A., Cai, R. Y., Evans, D. W., & Leekam, S. R. (2017). Inter-relationship between insistence on sameness, effortful control and anxiety in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Molecular Autism, 8, 36.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Uljarević, M., Richdale, A., Hedley, D., Cai, R., Merrick, H., Parr, J., et al. (2018). The hospital anxiety and depression scale: Factor structure and psychometric properties in older adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism Research, 11(2), 258–269.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Steensel, F. J., Bögels, S. M., & Perrin, S. (2011). Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 14, 302–317.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D. (2009). Differentiating the mood and anxiety disorders: A quadripartite model. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 5, 221–247.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., Gamez, D., & Simms, L. J. (2005). Basic dimensions of temperament and their relation to anxiety and depression: a symptom-based perspective. Journal of Research in Personality, 39, 46–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetzler, S., & Katz, M. M. (1989). Problems with the differentiation of anxiety and depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 23, 1–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White, S. W., Oswald, D., Ollendick, T., & Scahill, L. (2009). Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(3), 216–229.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wigham, S., Barton, S., Parr, J. R., & Rodgers, J. (2017). A systematic review of the rates of depression in children and adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 267–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigham, S., Rodgers, J., South, M., McConachie, H., & Freeston, M. (2015). The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 943–952.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wing, L. (1992). Manifestations of social problems in high functioning autistic people. In E. Schopler & G. Mesibov (Eds.), High functioning individuals with autism. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittchen, H. U., Wunderlich, U., Gruschwitz, S., & Zaudig, M. (1997). Strukturiertes Klinisches Interview für DSM-IV. Achse I: Psychische Störungen. Interviewheft und Beurteilungsheft. Göttingen: Hogrefe-Verlag, Göttingen, Bern, Toronto, Seattle.

  • Witwer, A. N., & Lecavalier, L. (2010). Validity of comorbid psychiatric disorders in youngsters with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 22(4), 367–380.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all those who participated in all three studies. MU, KRF, RYC, CD, AR and JT acknowledge the financial support of the Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), established and supported under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres program. DH, CD and AR acknowledge the financial support from DXC Technology and the Australian Government Department of Human Services and Department of Defence.

Funding

Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC); Grant Nos. 3.013; 3.016. DXC Technology and the Australian Government Department of Human Services and Department of Defence.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Cheryl Dissanayake, Amanda Richdale and Julian Trollor share senior authorship.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford Autism Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Mirko Uljarević

  2. Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism (Autism CRC), Long Pocket, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Mirko Uljarević, Kitty Rose-Foley, Ru Ying Cai, Cheryl Dissanayake, Amanda Richdale & Julian Trollor

  3. School of Psychological Science, Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia

    Mirko Uljarević, Darren Hedley, Ru Ying Cai, Cheryl Dissanayake & Amanda Richdale

  4. Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia

    Kitty Rose-Foley & Julian Trollor

  5. Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Iliana Magiati

Authors
  1. Mirko Uljarević
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Darren Hedley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kitty Rose-Foley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Iliana Magiati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ru Ying Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cheryl Dissanayake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Amanda Richdale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Julian Trollor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AR, JT, KR-F, MU and RYC designed the study. MU, RYC and KR-F collected the data. MU conceived of the report and analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final submitted version of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirko Uljarević.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

DH is supported by funding from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the Australian Government Department of Human Services and Department of Defence. The authors declare no other actual or potential conflicts of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 14 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Uljarević, M., Hedley, D., Rose-Foley, K. et al. Anxiety and Depression from Adolescence to Old Age in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 3155–3165 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04084-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04084-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation