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Cited by 135Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchDeath Anxiety and Social Exclusion

Are autistic traits associated with suicidality? A test of the interpersonal‐psychological theory of suicide in a non‐clinical young adult sample

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Pelton, M. K., Cassidy, S. A.·2017·Autism Research
DOI 10.1002/aur.1828PMC PMC5697632
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Abstract

Autism spectrum conditions (ASC) has recently been associated with increased risk of suicidality. However, no studies have explored how autistic traits may interact with current models of suicidal behavior in a non‐clinical population. The current study therefore explored how self‐reported autistic traits interact with perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness in predicting suicidal behavior, in the context of the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS). 163 young adults (aged 18–30 years) completed an online survey including measures of thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness (Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire), self‐reported autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient), current depression (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale), and lifetime suicidality (Suicide Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised). Results showed that burdensomeness and thwarted belonging significantly mediated the relationship between autistic traits and suicidal behavior. Both depression and autistic traits significantly predicted thwarted belonging and perceived burdensomeness. Autistic traits did not significantly moderate the relationship between suicidal behavior and thwarted belonging or perceived burdensomeness. Results suggest that the IPTS provides a useful framework for understanding the influence of autistic traits on suicidal behavior. However, the psychometric properties of these measures need be explored in those with clinically confirmed diagnosis of ASC. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1891–1904. © 2017 The Authors Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary: Recent research has shown that people with high autistic traits are more likely to attempt suicide. However, no studies have explored why. We found that people with high autistic traits were more likely to experience feelings that they do not belong in the world, are a burden on others, and depression, which may increase their likelihood of attempting suicide. These results suggest that promoting inclusion and independence in those with high autistic traits could help prevent people attempting suicide.

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  • Traits characteristic of autism are significantly associated with suicidality in those with and without ASC diagnosis.

    “Traits characteristic of autism are also significantly associated with suicidality in those with [2], and without ASC diagnosis [16–18].”

    From Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults (2018) · cites this paper as [17]

  • Lifetime suicide attempts in the general population (8%) and ASC group (38%) are similar to previous studies, suggesting the sample was not biased in this respect.

    “Lifetime suicide attempts in the general population (8%) and ASC group (38%) are similar to previous studies [2, 17], which suggests that the sample was not biased in this respect.”

    From Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults (2018) · cites this paper as [17]

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  1. Yang, Y., & Wang, M. (2014). Employment and Financial burdens of families with preschool‐aged children with autism. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 22, 295– 297.

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Authors
Pelton, M. K., & Cassidy, S. A.
Affiliations
Coventry University (GB)
Corresponding author
Cassidy, S. A.
ORCID
Venue
Autism Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2017-07-07
Volume
10
Issue
11
Pages
1891-1904
ISSN
  • 1939-3792 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-3806
DOI
10.1002/aur.1828
PMC
PMC5697632
OpenAlex
W2727577692
Cited by
135
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 2
FWCI
13.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Autism Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Pure (Coventry University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Economic and Social Research Council
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Keywords
autistic traits, suicidality, interpersonal theory of suicide, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, depression, young adults, autism spectrum disorder, suicide prevention
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Adult, Female, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychological Theory, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Students, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted, Young Adult, Suicidal Ideation

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