Social Context in Stress and Autism: Comparing Physiological Profiles Across Two Social Paradigms in Youth with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The social world is often stressful for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research shows youth with ASD demonstrate physiological hyperreactivity to some social stressors (e.g., interaction) but not others (e.g., evaluation); therefore, this study examined diagnosis (ASD or typical development (TD)), social context, perceived anxiety, and physiological responsivity across multiple stress systems; namely, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Method

This study examined 244 ten-to-thirteen-year-olds with ASD (N = 140) or TD (N = 104). Physiological responses, measured by salivary cortisol, heart rate (HR), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), were assessed before and after a social evaluative threat parad

SUBMITTER: Muscatello RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11450691 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature