학술논문
Examining the Relationship between Anxiety Severity and Autism-Related Challenges during Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism
Document Type
Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Reports - Research
Author
Madeleine N. Fuselier; Andrew G. Guzick; Jafar Bakhshaie; Jeffrey J. Wood; Philip C. Kendall; Connor M. Kerns; Brent J. Small; Wayne K. Goodman; Eric A. Storch (ORCID 0000-0002-7631-3703 )
Source
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
0162-3257
1573-3432
1573-3432
Abstract
Purpose: Using data from a randomized clinical trial evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children with autism and co-occurring anxiety, this study examined the relationship between autism features and anxiety symptoms throughout CBT. Methods: Two multilevel mediation analyses were run which examined the mediating role of changes in anxiety for changes in two core features of autism: (a) repetitive and restrictive behaviors (RRBs); and (b) social communication/interaction impairments, between pre- and post-treatment. Results: Indirect effects between time and autism characteristics were significant for both models, indicating that as anxiety changes, so do RRBs and social communication/interaction as the outcomes respectively. Conclusion: Findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between anxiety and autism features. Implications of these findings are discussed.