Association between autistic traits and social anxiety among Japanese university students

Noriko Kitazoe; Shimpei Inoue; Yuji Izumoto; Naoko Kumagai; Shin-ichi Terada; Naofumi Fujita

doi:10.1515/ijdhd-2013-0014

Published by De Gruyter June 8, 2013

Association between autistic traits and social anxiety among Japanese university students

Noriko Kitazoe , Shimpei Inoue , Yuji Izumoto , Naoko Kumagai , Shin-ichi Terada and Naofumi Fujita

From the journal International Journal on Disability and Human Development

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijdhd-2013-0014

Showing a limited preview of this publication:

Abstract

Background: Symptom overlap between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and social anxiety disorder has been reported. However, few reports exist on the associations between autistic traits and social anxiety in young adults.

Methods: Autistic traits and social anxiety were assessed using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), respectively. The survey was performed as part of the student health check-up at admission to our school, Kochi University. The relationship between the AO and LSAS scores were analyzed.

Results: In all, 1479 students (77.2%) completed both the questionnaires. The overall AQ score was significantly related to the score on the Japanese version of the LSAS (LSAS-J) (Spearman’s correlation coefficient; 0.46, p<0.001). The group of students with AQ≥33 had significantly higher total and subscale scores on the LSAS-J as compared to the group with AQ<33, while the group with LSAS-J≥44 showed significantly higher scores on all the subscales of the AQ, except “Attention to detail,” as compared to the group with LSAS-J<44.

Conclusions: The results suggest that both students diagnosed as having ASD and those with autistic traits may experience anxiety symptoms. The score for “Attention to detail” on the AQ, which was not related to the presence of social anxiety, may be useful in discriminating between autistic traits and social anxiety.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorders; social anxiety disorder; Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ); Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)

Corresponding author: Noriko Kitazoe, MD, Students Health Services Center of Kochi University, 2-5-1 Akebono-cho Kochi, 780-8520, Japan, Phone: +81-88-844-8156, Fax: +81-88-844-8158, E-mail: kitazoe@kochi-u.ac.jp; and Kochi Research Project for Developmental Disorders, Kochi, Japan

References

1. Cederlund M, Hagberg B, Gillberg C. Asperger syndrome in adolescent and young adult male. Interview, self-and parent assessment of social, emotional, and cognitive problems. Res Dev Disabil 2010;3:287–98.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000275245500001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1016/j.ridd.2009.09.006Search in Google Scholar

2. Hofvander B, Delorme R, Chaste P, Nydén A, Wentz E, Ståhlberg O, et al. Psychiatric and psychosocial problems in adults with normal-intelligence autism spectrum disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2009;9:35.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000268083600001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1186/1471-244X-9-35Search in Google Scholar PubMed

3. White SW, Oswald D, Ollendick T, Scahill L. Anxiety in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Clin Psychol Rev 2009;29:216–29.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000264858900003&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1016/j.cpr.2009.01.003Search in Google Scholar PubMed

4. Kanai C, Iwanami A, Hashimoto R, Ota H, Tani M, Yamada T, et al. Clinical characterization of adults with Asperger’s syndrome assessed by self-report questionnaires based on depression, anxiety, and personality. Res Autism Spectr Disord 2011;5:1451–8.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000292235600019&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1016/j.rasd.2011.02.005Search in Google Scholar

5. Cath DC, Ran N, Smit JH, van Balkom AJ, Comijs HC. Symptom overlap between autism spectrum disorder, generalized social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: a preliminary case-controlled study. Psychopathology 2008;41:101–10.10.1159/000111555http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000251438700006&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f3Search in Google Scholar PubMed

6. Honda H, Shimizu Y, Misumi K, Niimi M, Ohashi Y. Cumulative incidence prevalence childhood autism in children in Japan. Br J Psych 1996;169:228–35.10.1192/bjp.169.2.228Search in Google Scholar

7. Arvidsson T, Danielsson B, Forsberg C, Gillberg C, Johansson M, Kjellgren G. Autism in 3-6-year-old children in a suburb of Götebord, Sweden. Autism 1997;1:163–73.10.1177/1362361397012004Search in Google Scholar

8. Baird G, Simonoff E, Pickles A, Chandler S, Loucas T, Meldrum D, et al. Prevalence of disorders of the autism spectrum in a population cohort of children in South Thames: the Special Needs and Autism Project (SNAP). Lancet 2006;368:210–5.10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69041-7Search in Google Scholar

9. White SW, Ollendick TH, Bray BC. College students on the autism spectrum. Prevalence and associated problems. Autism 2011;15:683–701.10.1177/1362361310393363Search in Google Scholar PubMed

10. VanBergeijk E, Klin A, Volkmar F. Supporting more able on the autism spectrum: college and beyond. J Autism Dev Disord 2008;38:1359–70.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000257935100016&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1007/s10803-007-0524-8Search in Google Scholar PubMed

11. Nevil RE, White SW. College students’ openness toward autism spectrum disorders: improving peer acceptance. J Autism Dev Disord 2011;41:1619–28.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000297168300003&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1007/s10803-011-1189-xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

12. Nishimura Y. Support in the campus counseling room. Jpn J Learn Disabil 2006;15:302–11 (in Japanese).Search in Google Scholar

13. Sasaki T. Autism spectrum disorders in Japanese university students. Japanese Journal of Psychiatric Treatment 2010;25:1647–52 (in Japanese).Search in Google Scholar

14. Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S, Skinner R, Martin J, Clubley E. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ): evidence from Asperger syndrome/high functioning autism, male and female, scientists and mathematics. J Autism Dev Disord 200;31:5–17.10.1023/A:1005653411471Search in Google Scholar

15. Woodbury-Smith MR, Robinson J, Wheelwright S, Baron-Cohen S. Screening adults for Asperger syndrome using the AQ: a preliminary study of its diagnostic validity in clinical practice. J Autism Dev Disord 2005;35:331–5.10.1007/s10803-005-3300-7Search in Google Scholar PubMed

16. Wakabayashi A, Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S, Tojo Y. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in Japan: a cross-cultural comparison. J Autism Dev Disord 2006;36:263–70.10.1007/s10803-005-0061-2Search in Google Scholar PubMed

17. Austin EJ. Personality correlates of the broader autism phenotype as assessed by Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Pers Individ Dif 2005;38:451–60.10.1016/j.paid.2004.04.022Search in Google Scholar

18. Kunihira Y, Senju A, Dairoku H, Wakabayashi A, Hasegawa T. ‘Autistic’ traits in non-autistic Japanese populations: relationships with personality traits and cognitive ability. J Autism Dev Disord 2006;36:553–66.10.1007/s10803-006-0094-1Search in Google Scholar PubMed

19. Wakabayashi A, Tojo Y, Baron-Cohen S, Wheelwright S. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) Japanese version: evidence from high-functioning clinical group and normal group and normal adults. Shinrigaku Kenkyu 2004;75:78–84 (in Japanese).10.4992/jjpsy.75.78Search in Google Scholar PubMed

20. Kurita H, Koyama T. Autism-Spectrum Quotient Japanese version measures mental health problems other than autistic trait. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2006;60:373–8.10.1111/j.1440-1819.2006.01516.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

21. Liebowitz MR. Social phobia. Mod Probl Pharmacopsychiatry 1987;22:131–73.10.1159/000414022Search in Google Scholar PubMed

22. Matsubara T. University Personality inventory. In: Mastubara T, editor. Shinritesutonyumon. Tokyo: Nihonbunkakagakusya, 1995.Search in Google Scholar

23. Heimberg RG, Horner KJ, Juster HR, Safren SA, Brown EJ, Schneier FR, et al. Psychometric properties of Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Psychol Med 1999;29:99–212.10.1017/S0033291798007879Search in Google Scholar

24. Asakura S, Inoue S, Sasaki F, Sasaki Y, Kitagawa N, Inoue T, et al. Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Seishin Igaku 2002;44:1077–84 (in Japanese).10.1037/t75069-000Search in Google Scholar

25. Okajima I, Kanai Y, Chen J, Sakano Y. Factor structure of the Japanese version of Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). A confirmatory factor analysis. Seishin Igaku 2007;49:829–35 (in Japanese).Search in Google Scholar

26. Hisamatsu Y. The general trend of social anxiety in the Japanese and the development of screening ool for Japanese patients with social anxiety disorder. Jpn J Psychosom Med 2006;46:969–76 (in Japanese).Search in Google Scholar

27. Ghaziuddin M, Zafar S. Psychiatric comorbidity of adults with autism spectrum disorders. Clin Neur 2008;5:9–12.Search in Google Scholar

28. Shtayermman O. Peer victimization in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome: a link to depressive symptomatology, anxiety symptomatology and suicidal ideation. Issues in Compr Pediatr Nurs 2007;30:87–107.10.1080/01460860701525089Search in Google Scholar

29. Tantam, D. The challenge of adolescents and adults with Asperger syndrome. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2003;12:143–63.10.1016/S1056-4993(02)00053-6Search in Google Scholar

30. Hintzen S, Delespaul P, van Os J, Myin-Germys M. Social needs in daily life in adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Psychiatry Res 2010;179:75–80.10.1016/j.psychres.2010.06.014Search in Google Scholar PubMed

31. Weisbrot DM, Gadow KD, DeVincent CJ, Pomeroy J. The presentation of anxiety in children with pervasive developmental disorders. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2005;15:477–96.10.1089/cap.2005.15.477Search in Google Scholar PubMed

32. Davis TE, Moree BN, Dempsey T, Reuther ET, Fodstad JC, Hess JA, et al. The relationship between autism spectrum disorders and anxiety: the moderating effect of communication. Res Autism Spectr Disord 2011;5:324–9.http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000283953800035&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=b7bc2757938ac7a7a821505f8243d9f310.1016/j.rasd.2010.04.015Search in Google Scholar

33. Gorden J, Diller A, Bausman M, Velicer W, Norman G, Cautela J. The development of a stress survey schedule for persons with autism and other developmental disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord 2001;31:207–17.10.1023/A:1010755300436Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2013-03-12

Accepted: 2013-04-15

Published Online: 2013-06-08

Published in Print: 2014-02-01

Association between autistic traits and social anxiety among Japanese university students

Abstract

References

Journal and Issue

Articles in the same Issue