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Cited by 246Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchSuicide and Self-Harm StudiesFamily and Disability Support Research

Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Hedley, Darren, Uljarević, Mirko, Foley, Kitty-Rose, Richdale, Amanda, Trollor, Julian·2018·Depression and Anxiety
DOI 10.1002/da.22759
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at significantly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Given that social difficulties in ASD often lead to social isolation, which can in turn increase the risk for depression, this study examined loneliness and social support as potential risk and protective factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation. METHOD: The sample comprised 185 people (92 females) with ASD aged 14 to 80 years who were participating in a national survey. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of participants returned scores in the clinical range for depression and 36% reported recent suicidal ideation. Females, comprising almost 50% of the sample, returned higher depression scores than males, however no differences were identified between males and females in terms of suicidal ideation. Regression analyses revealed that loneliness, satisfaction with social support, and ASD traits predicted depression scores. Satisfaction with social support predicted suicidal ideation, however, it was no longer a significant predictor after the effects of depression were taken into account. Path analysis showed that ASD trait severity was independently related to depression, that the effect of number of social supports on depression was mediated by loneliness and satisfaction with social support, and that effects of loneliness and satisfaction with social support on suicidal ideation were mediated by depression. The pattern of relationships was nearly identical for males and females. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports a model whereby loneliness and social support operate respectively as protective and risk factors for depression and suicidal ideation in ASD.

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  • Loneliness has consistently been found to be associated with both suicidal ideation and behaviour in research studies and in more general systematic reviews.

    “Loneliness has consistently been found to be associated with both suicidal ideation and behaviour in research studies (Hedley et al., 2018; Stickley and Koyanagi, 2016; Stravynski and Boyer, 2001; Teo et al., 2018) as well as in more general systematic reviews (Calati et al., 2019; Mushtaq et al., 2014).”

    From Loneliness as a predictor of suicidal ideation and behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies (2020) · cites this paper as Hedley et al., 2018

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Howlin, P. (1997). Psychiatric disturbances in adulthood. In P. Howlin (Ed.), Autism: Preparing for Adulthood (pp. 216-235). London: Routledge.
  2. Joiner T. E. (2005). Why people die by suicide. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

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Authors
Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Foley, K.-R., Richdale, A., & Trollor, J.
Affiliations
  • La Trobe University (AU)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Hedley, Darren
ORCID
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-04-16
Volume
35
Issue
7
Pages
648-657
ISSN
1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1002/da.22759
OpenAlex
W2802741176
Cited by
246
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 29 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 34 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 2
FWCI
11.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Cross Connect (Southern Cross University) (submittedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
  • UNSWorks (University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
  • Cooperative Research Centre for Living with Autism
  • DXC Technology
  • Australian Government Department of Human Services and Department of Defence
  • Autism CRC postdoctoral fellowships
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, loneliness, social support, social isolation, risk factors, protective factors, sex differences, mediation
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Loneliness, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Personal Satisfaction, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Social Isolation, Social Support, Young Adult, Suicidal Ideation, Protective Factors

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