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Higher depressive symptoms in early adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder by self- and parent-report compared to typically-developing peers

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Schwartzman, Jessica M., Corbett, Blythe A.·2020·Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101613PMC PMC7423017
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Abstract

Background Depression is more prevalent among male early adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than their typically- developing (TD) peers, but findings are limited to two male-only studies. Therefore, a broader understanding of depressive symptoms among both male and female early adolescents with ASD in larger samples is needed. Self- and parent-ratings are frequently used, yet rater differences may emerge and provide unique insights. Method Ratings of adolescent depressive symptoms were examined among 230 early adolescents (10:0-13:5 years) with and without ASD using self- (Children's Depression Inventory, Second Edition; CDI-2) and parent- report (Child Behavior Checklist; CBCL) measures. The influence of diagnostic group (ASD vs. TD) and rater (early adolescent vs. parent) on ratings were examined with Full Scale IQ and sex as covariates. Additionally, the reliability and strength of agreement between raters were examined. Results Higher depressive symptoms were reported by both raters in the ASD group (Borderline range) compared to the TD group (Average range). The interaction of diagnostic group and rater was nonsignificant, but significant main effects emerged. Sex was a significant covariate, but Full Scale IQ was not. The reliability and strength of agreement between raters in the ASD group only were not significant. Conclusions Findings suggest that depressive symptoms may be higher in both male and female early adolescents with ASD across self- and parent- reports. However, measurement of depression in ASD may be complicated by nonsignificant reliability and strength of agreement between raters. Results have implications for screening and intervention for early adolescents with ASD.

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  • Autistic youth experience depression at rates nearly twice that of their non-autistic peers.

    “particularly among autistic youth who experience depression at rates nearly twice that of their non-autistic peers (Hudson et al., 2019; Schwartzman & Corbett, 2020).”

    From Community-guided, autism-adapted group cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in autistic youth (CBT-DAY): Preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy (2024) · cites this paper as Schwartzman & Corbett, 2020

    The Results section reports significantly higher depressive-symptom scores in early adolescents with ASD than in typically developing peers. It does not establish that autistic youth experience diagnosed depression at nearly twice the rate: the Depression Prevalence section instead reports a fourfold lifetime likelihood for individuals with ASD across all ages. (LLM, conf=0.87)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Schwartzman, J. M., & Corbett, B. A.
Affiliations
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
  • Vanderbilt University (US)
Corresponding author
Corbett, Blythe A.
ORCID
Venue
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-09
Volume
77
Pages
101613
ISSN
  • 1878-0237 (ISSN-L)
  • 1750-9467
DOI
10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101613
PMC
PMC7423017
OpenAlex
W3042424488
Cited by
53
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 2
FWCI
2.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Research in Autism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
  • National Institute of Mental Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, depressive symptoms, early adolescents, self-report, parent report, rater agreement, Children's Depression Inventory, Child Behavior Checklist, sex differences, depression screening

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