Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

18-02-2017 | Original Paper

The Role of Theory of Mind on Social Information Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Mediation Analysis

Auteurs: Monica Mazza, Melania Mariano, Sara Peretti, Francesco Masedu, Maria Chiara Pino, Marco Valenti

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 5/2017

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show significant impairments in social skills and theory of mind (ToM). The aim of this study was to evaluate ToM and social information processing abilities in 52 children with ASD compared to 55 typically developing (TD) children. A mediation analysis evaluated whether social information processing abilities can be mediated by ToM competences. In our results, children with autism showed a deficit in social skills and ToM components. The innovative results of our study applying mediation analysis demonstrate that ToM plays a key role in the development of social abilities, and the lack of ToM competences in children with autism impairs their competent social behavior.
Literatuur
go back to reference Ambridge, B., Bannard, C., & Jackson, G. H. (2015). Is grammar spared in autism spectrum disorder? Data from judgments of verb argument structure overgeneralization errors. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(10), 3288–3296. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2487-5.CrossRefPubMed Ambridge, B., Bannard, C., & Jackson, G. H. (2015). Is grammar spared in autism spectrum disorder? Data from judgments of verb argument structure overgeneralization errors. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(10), 3288–3296. doi:10.​1007/​s10803-015-2487-5.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-V, 5th edn. Arlington,VA: American Psychiatric PublishingCrossRef American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-V, 5th edn. Arlington,VA: American Psychiatric PublishingCrossRef
go back to reference Astington, J.W. (1993).The child’s discovery of the mind. Cambridge: MA, Harvard University Press Astington, J.W. (1993).The child’s discovery of the mind. Cambridge: MA, Harvard University Press
go back to reference Astington, J. W., & Jenkins, J. M. (1999). A longitudinal study of the relation between language and theory-of-mind development. Developmental Psychology, 3(5), 1311–1320.CrossRef Astington, J. W., & Jenkins, J. M. (1999). A longitudinal study of the relation between language and theory-of-mind development. Developmental Psychology, 3(5), 1311–1320.CrossRef
go back to reference Astington, J.W., & Edward, M.J. (2010). The Development of Theory of Mind in Early Childhood Janet Wilde. Encyclopedia on early childhoon development. Astington, J.W., & Edward, M.J. (2010). The Development of Theory of Mind in Early Childhood Janet Wilde. Encyclopedia on early childhoon development.
go back to reference Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.CrossRef Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182.CrossRef
go back to reference Baron-Cohen, S. (1997). Mindblindness: An essay on autism and theory of mind. A Bradford Book from Learning, Development, and Conceptual Change, Cambridge: MIT Press. Baron-Cohen, S. (1997). Mindblindness: An essay on autism and theory of mind. A Bradford Book from Learning, Development, and Conceptual Change, Cambridge: MIT Press.
go back to reference Baron-Cohen, S., Bowen D. C., Holt, R. J., Allison, C., Auyeung, B., Lombardo M. V., et al. (2015). The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test: Complete Absence of Typical Sex Difference in ~ 400 Men and Women with Autism. PLOS ONE, 10(8): e0136521.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Baron-Cohen, S., Bowen D. C., Holt, R. J., Allison, C., Auyeung, B., Lombardo M. V., et al. (2015). The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test: Complete Absence of Typical Sex Difference in ~ 400 Men and Women with Autism. PLOS ONE, 10(8): e0136521.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Batson, C. D. (1987). Prosocial motivation: Is it ever truly altruistic? In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology, Vol. 20 (pp. 65–122). New York: Academic Press. 10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60412-8. Batson, C. D. (1987). Prosocial motivation: Is it ever truly altruistic? In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology, Vol. 20 (pp. 65–122). New York: Academic Press. 10.​1016/​S0065-2601(08)60412-8.
go back to reference Bishop, D. (2003). The Test for Reception of Grammar (TROG-2)—Version 2. London, United Kingdom: The Psychological Corporation. Bishop, D. (2003). The Test for Reception of Grammar (TROG-2)—Version 2. London, United Kingdom: The Psychological Corporation.
go back to reference Blair, R. J. (1995). A cognitive developmental approach to morality: investigating the psychopath. Cognition, 57, 1–29.CrossRefPubMed Blair, R. J. (1995). A cognitive developmental approach to morality: investigating the psychopath. Cognition, 57, 1–29.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
go back to reference Colle, L., Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., & Van der Lely, H. K. (2008). Narrative discourse in adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 3(1), 28–40.CrossRef Colle, L., Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., & Van der Lely, H. K. (2008). Narrative discourse in adults with high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 3(1), 28–40.CrossRef
go back to reference Cornish, K., Rinehart, N., Gray, K., & Howlin, P. (2010). Comic strip task. Melbourne: Monash University Developmental Neuroscience and Genetic Disorders Laboratory and Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology. Cornish, K., Rinehart, N., Gray, K., & Howlin, P. (2010). Comic strip task. Melbourne: Monash University Developmental Neuroscience and Genetic Disorders Laboratory and Monash University Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology.
go back to reference Crick, N. R., & Dodge, K. A. (1994). A review and reformulation of social information: Processing mechanisms in children’s social adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 74–101.CrossRef Crick, N. R., & Dodge, K. A. (1994). A review and reformulation of social information: Processing mechanisms in children’s social adjustment. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 74–101.CrossRef
go back to reference Eisenberg, N., & Miller, P. A. (1987). The relation of empathy to prosocial and related behaviors. Psychological Bulletin, 3(1), 91–119.CrossRef Eisenberg, N., & Miller, P. A. (1987). The relation of empathy to prosocial and related behaviors. Psychological Bulletin, 3(1), 91–119.CrossRef
go back to reference Flavell, J.H., & Miller, P.H. (1998). Social cognition. In: D. Kuhn, R. Siegler, (eds), Cognition, perception and language. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley (pp. 851–898). W. Damon, (ed), Handbook of child psychology, vol. 2. Flavell, J.H., & Miller, P.H. (1998). Social cognition. In: D. Kuhn, R. Siegler, (eds), Cognition, perception and language. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley (pp. 851–898). W. Damon, (ed), Handbook of child psychology, vol. 2.
go back to reference Fletcher-Watson, S., McConnell, F., Manola, E., & McConachie, H. (2014). Interventions based on the Theory of Mind cognitive model for autism Spectrum disorder(ASD). Cochrane Database System. Rev. 3: CD008785. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008785. Fletcher-Watson, S., McConnell, F., Manola, E., & McConachie, H. (2014). Interventions based on the Theory of Mind cognitive model for autism Spectrum disorder(ASD). Cochrane Database System. Rev. 3: CD008785. doi:10.​1002/​14651858.​CD008785.
go back to reference Franco, F., Itakura, S., Pomorska, K., Abramowski, A., Nikaido, K., & Dimitriou, D. (2014). Can children with autism read emotions from the eyes? The eyes test revisited. Research in Developmental Disabilities - Journal, 3(5), 1015–1026.CrossRef Franco, F., Itakura, S., Pomorska, K., Abramowski, A., Nikaido, K., & Dimitriou, D. (2014). Can children with autism read emotions from the eyes? The eyes test revisited. Research in Developmental Disabilities - Journal, 3(5), 1015–1026.CrossRef
go back to reference Frith, U., & Frith, C. D. (2003). Development and neurophysiology of mentalizing. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 29: 459–473.CrossRef Frith, U., & Frith, C. D. (2003). Development and neurophysiology of mentalizing. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 29: 459–473.CrossRef
go back to reference Happé, F. (1994). An advanced test of the or yof mind:understanding of story char- acters’thoughts and feelings by able autistics, mentally handicapped and normal children and adults. Journal Autism Developmental Disorders, 24: 129–154.CrossRef Happé, F. (1994). An advanced test of the or yof mind:understanding of story char- acters’thoughts and feelings by able autistics, mentally handicapped and normal children and adults. Journal Autism Developmental Disorders, 24: 129–154.CrossRef
go back to reference Happè, F., & Frith, U. (2014). Annual Research Review: Towards a developmental neuroscience of atypical social cognition. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 3(6), 553–577.CrossRef Happè, F., & Frith, U. (2014). Annual Research Review: Towards a developmental neuroscience of atypical social cognition. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 3(6), 553–577.CrossRef
go back to reference Hayes, A. F., & Preacher, K. J. (2010). Quantifying and Testing Indirect Effects in Simple Mediation Models When the Constituent Paths Are Nonlinear. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 45, 627–660.CrossRefPubMed Hayes, A. F., & Preacher, K. J. (2010). Quantifying and Testing Indirect Effects in Simple Mediation Models When the Constituent Paths Are Nonlinear. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 45, 627–660.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Hoffman, M. L. (1984). Interaction of affect and cognition in empathy. In C. E. Izard, J. Kagan & R. B. Zajonc (Eds.), Emotions, cognitions, and behavior (pp. 103–131). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hoffman, M. L. (1984). Interaction of affect and cognition in empathy. In C. E. Izard, J. Kagan & R. B. Zajonc (Eds.), Emotions, cognitions, and behavior (pp. 103–131). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
go back to reference Jones, A. P., Happé, F.G. E., Gilbert, F., Burnett, S., & Viding, E. (2010). Feeling, caring, knowing:different types of empathy deficit in boys with psychopathic tendencies and autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 11, 1188–1197.CrossRef Jones, A. P., Happé, F.G. E., Gilbert, F., Burnett, S., & Viding, E. (2010). Feeling, caring, knowing:different types of empathy deficit in boys with psychopathic tendencies and autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 11, 1188–1197.CrossRef
go back to reference Kenny, D. A., Korchmaros, J. D., & Bolger, N. (2003). Lower level mediation in multilevel models. Psychological Methods, 8, 115–128.CrossRefPubMed Kenny, D. A., Korchmaros, J. D., & Bolger, N. (2003). Lower level mediation in multilevel models. Psychological Methods, 8, 115–128.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Krebs, D.L., & Russell, C. (1981). Role-taking and altruism. Altruism and Helping Behavior. In J. P. Rushton & R. M. Sorrentino (Eds.). Erlbaum Associates, 137–165. Krebs, D.L., & Russell, C. (1981). Role-taking and altruism. Altruism and Helping Behavior. In J. P. Rushton & R. M. Sorrentino (Eds.). Erlbaum Associates, 137–165.
go back to reference Lai, M.C., Lombardo, M.V., Baron-Cohen, S. (2014). Autism. The Lancet, 383(9920), 896–910.CrossRef Lai, M.C., Lombardo, M.V., Baron-Cohen, S. (2014). Autism. The Lancet, 383(9920), 896–910.CrossRef
go back to reference Lerner, M. D., Hutchins, T. L., & Prelock, P. A. (2011). Brief report: Preliminary evaluation of the theory of mind inventory and its relationship to measures of social skills. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41, 512–517.CrossRefPubMed Lerner, M. D., Hutchins, T. L., & Prelock, P. A. (2011). Brief report: Preliminary evaluation of the theory of mind inventory and its relationship to measures of social skills. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41, 512–517.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Leslie, A. M. (1987). Pretense and Representation: The Origins of “Theory of Mind”. Psychological Review Copyright by the. American Psychological Association, Vol, 3(4), 412–426. Leslie, A. M. (1987). Pretense and Representation: The Origins of “Theory of Mind”. Psychological Review Copyright by the. American Psychological Association, Vol, 3(4), 412–426.
go back to reference Leslie, A. M. (1994). Pretending and believing: issues in the theory of ToM. Cognition, 50 (1–3), 211–238.CrossRefPubMed Leslie, A. M. (1994). Pretending and believing: issues in the theory of ToM. Cognition, 50 (1–3), 211–238.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P.C., Risi, S., Gotham, K., & Bishop, S.L. (2012). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): Manual, 2ndEdn. Los Angeles: CA: Western Psychological Services. Lord, C., Rutter, M., DiLavore, P.C., Risi, S., Gotham, K., & Bishop, S.L. (2012). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2): Manual, 2ndEdn. Los Angeles: CA: Western Psychological Services.
go back to reference Mathieu, J. E., & Taylor, S. R. (2006). Clarifying conditions and decision points for mediational type inferences in organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 1031–1056. doi:10.1002/job.406.CrossRef Mathieu, J. E., & Taylor, S. R. (2006). Clarifying conditions and decision points for mediational type inferences in organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 27, 1031–1056. doi:10.​1002/​job.​406.CrossRef
go back to reference Mazza, M., Pino, M.C., Mariano, M., Tempesta, D., Ferrara, M., De Berardis, D., et al. (2014). Affective and cognitive empathy in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 791.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Mazza, M., Pino, M.C., Mariano, M., Tempesta, D., Ferrara, M., De Berardis, D., et al. (2014). Affective and cognitive empathy in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 791.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Milligan, K., Astington, J. W., & Dack, L. A. (2007). Language and theory of mind: meta-analysis of the relation between language ability and false-belief understanding. Child Development, 78(2), 622–646.CrossRefPubMed Milligan, K., Astington, J. W., & Dack, L. A. (2007). Language and theory of mind: meta-analysis of the relation between language ability and false-belief understanding. Child Development, 78(2), 622–646.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Pierce, G. (2003). Multiple regression and mediation analyses using SPSS. Psychology. Pierce, G. (2003). Multiple regression and mediation analyses using SPSS. Psychology.
go back to reference Pino, M. C., Tempesta, D., Catalucci, A., Anselmi, M., Nigri, A., Iaria, G., et al. (2016). Altered Cortico-Limbic Functional Connectivity During an Empathy Task in subjects with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal Psychopathological Behaviour Assessment, doi:10.1007/s10862-016-9538-x. Pino, M. C., Tempesta, D., Catalucci, A., Anselmi, M., Nigri, A., Iaria, G., et al. (2016). Altered Cortico-Limbic Functional Connectivity During an Empathy Task in subjects with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Journal Psychopathological Behaviour Assessment, doi:10.​1007/​s10862-016-9538-x.
go back to reference Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 3(3), 879–891.CrossRef Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. (2008). Asymptotic and resampling strategies for assessing and comparing indirect effects in multiple mediator models. Behavior Research Methods, 3(3), 879–891.CrossRef
go back to reference Sebastian, C. L., Fontaine, N.M.G., Bird, G., Blakemore, S. J., De Brito, S. A., McCrory, E., J. P., et al. (2012). Neural processing associated with cognitive and affective Theory of Mind in adolescents and adults. SCAN, 7, 53–63.PubMed Sebastian, C. L., Fontaine, N.M.G., Bird, G., Blakemore, S. J., De Brito, S. A., McCrory, E., J. P., et al. (2012). Neural processing associated with cognitive and affective Theory of Mind in adolescents and adults. SCAN, 7, 53–63.PubMed
go back to reference Shamay-Tsoory, S. G., Tomer, R., & Aharon-Peretz, J. (2005). The Neuroanatomical basis of understanding sarcasm and its relationship to social cognition. Neuropsychology, 3(3), 288–300.CrossRef Shamay-Tsoory, S. G., Tomer, R., & Aharon-Peretz, J. (2005). The Neuroanatomical basis of understanding sarcasm and its relationship to social cognition. Neuropsychology, 3(3), 288–300.CrossRef
go back to reference Shamay-Tsoory, S.G., Aharon-Peretz, J., & Perry, D. (2009). Two systems for empathy: a double dissociation between emotional and cognitive empathy in inferior frontal gyrus versus ventromedial prefrontal lesions. Brain, 132, 617–627.CrossRefPubMed Shamay-Tsoory, S.G., Aharon-Peretz, J., & Perry, D. (2009). Two systems for empathy: a double dissociation between emotional and cognitive empathy in inferior frontal gyrus versus ventromedial prefrontal lesions. Brain, 132, 617–627.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sivaratnam, C. S., Cornish, K., Gray, K. M., Howlin, P., & Rinehart, N. J. (2012). Brief report: Assessment of the social-emotional profile in children with autism spectrum disorders using a novel comic strip task. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 42, 2505–2512.CrossRefPubMed Sivaratnam, C. S., Cornish, K., Gray, K. M., Howlin, P., & Rinehart, N. J. (2012). Brief report: Assessment of the social-emotional profile in children with autism spectrum disorders using a novel comic strip task. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 42, 2505–2512.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Sobel, M. E. (1982). Aysmptotic confidence intervals for indirect effects in structural equation models. In S. Leinhardt (Ed.), Sociological Methodology (pp. 290–212). San Francisco: Jossey-Boss. Sobel, M. E. (1982). Aysmptotic confidence intervals for indirect effects in structural equation models. In S. Leinhardt (Ed.), Sociological Methodology (pp. 290–212). San Francisco: Jossey-Boss.
go back to reference Sobel, M. E. (1986). Some new results on indirect effects and their standard errors in covariance models. In N. Tuma (Ed.), Sociological Methodology (pp. 159–186). Washington D.C.: American Sociological. Sobel, M. E. (1986). Some new results on indirect effects and their standard errors in covariance models. In N. Tuma (Ed.), Sociological Methodology (pp. 159–186). Washington D.C.: American Sociological.
go back to reference Suraniti, S., Ferri, R., & Neri, V. (2009). Test For Reception of Grammar- TROG-2. Curatori edizione italiana. Firenze: Giunti O. S. Suraniti, S., Ferri, R., & Neri, V. (2009). Test For Reception of Grammar- TROG-2. Curatori edizione italiana. Firenze: Giunti O. S.
go back to reference Ziv, Y., Hadad, B.S., Khateeb, Y., & Terkel-Dawer, R. (2014). Social information processing in preschool children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal Autism Developmental Disorders 44(4 ), 846–859.CrossRef Ziv, Y., Hadad, B.S., Khateeb, Y., & Terkel-Dawer, R. (2014). Social information processing in preschool children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Journal Autism Developmental Disorders 44(4 ), 846–859.CrossRef
go back to reference Ziv, Y., & Sorongon, A. (2011). Social Information Processing in Preschool Children: Relations to Sociodemographic Risk and Problem Behavior. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 3(4), 412–429.CrossRef Ziv, Y., & Sorongon, A. (2011). Social Information Processing in Preschool Children: Relations to Sociodemographic Risk and Problem Behavior. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 3(4), 412–429.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
The Role of Theory of Mind on Social Information Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Mediation Analysis
Auteurs
Monica Mazza
Melania Mariano
Sara Peretti
Francesco Masedu
Maria Chiara Pino
Marco Valenti
Publicatiedatum
18-02-2017
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3069-5