Childhood trauma as a mediator between autistic traits and depression: evidence from the ALSPAC birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Autism and autistic traits have been associated with greater risk of childhood trauma and adulthood psychopathology. However, the role that childhood trauma plays in the association between autism, autistic traits and depression in adulthood is poorly understood.

Methods

We used a UK-based birth cohort with phenotype and genotype data on autism, autistic traits, childhood trauma and depression in up to 9,659 individuals prospectively followed up from birth until age 28 years. Using mixed-effects growth-curve models, we assessed trajectories of depression symptoms over time according to the presence or absence of autism/ autistic traits and explored whether these differed by trauma exposure. We further investigated the association between autism/ autistic traits an

SUBMITTER: Underwood JFG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11261931 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature