Social comparison processes and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with Asperger syndrome
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between social comparison processes and depressive symptoms in 36 participants (34 males and two females) aged 10 to 16 years with Asperger syndrome. Participants completed the Social Comparison Scale and the Children's Depression Inventory. Depressive symptoms were significantly correlated with the SCS (r = 0.52, p = 0.001), specifically perceived group membership (r = 0.56, p < 0.001). A regression analysis revealed that perceived group membership significantly and independently predicted depression scores (beta= 0.56, p = 0.002). It is suggested social comparison is a salient factor related to depressive symptoms in this group, and interventions involving adolescents with AS should therefore address this factor.
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Negative self-appraisals can have damaging effects on mental health.
“But they can have damaging effects on their mental health (Cage, Di Monaco, & Newell, 2018; Cooper, Smith, & Russell, 2017; Hedley & Young, 2006), where a disabled/autistic person may come to believe that they are less worthy and act accordingly (Becker, 1963; Milton, 2012).”
From Annual Research Review: Shifting from ‘normal science’ to neurodiversity in autism science (2022) · cites this paper as Hedley & Young, 2006
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“Earlier studies indicate that increased awareness of and negative perceptions about autism may have a negative impact on mental health likely through social comparison processes (Cooper et al., 2017; Gotham et al., 2014; Hedley & Young, 2006).”
- Authors
- Hedley, D., & Young, R.
- Affiliations
- Flinders University (AU)
- Venue
- Autism
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-03
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 139-153
- ISSN
- 1362-3613 (ISSN-L)
- 1461-7005
- OpenAlex
- W2021320469
- Cited by
- 139
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Autism (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Flinders Academic Commons (Flinders University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- social comparison, depressive symptoms, Asperger syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, adolescents, children, Children's Depression Inventory
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Age Factors, Child, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Personality Inventory, Regression Analysis, Psychological Distance, Sociometric Techniques, Comorbidity, Asperger Syndrome
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