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  • Brief Report: Convergence and Discrepancy Between Self- and Informant-Reported Depressive Symptoms in Young Autistic Adults
Title: Brief Report: Convergence and Discrepancy Between Self- and Informant-Reported Depressive Symptoms in Young Autistic Adults
Purpose Autistic individuals exhibit elevated rates of depression; however, assessment is complicated by clinical presenta- tions and limited validation in this population. Recent work has demonstrated the utility of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) in screening for depression in ASD. The current study extends this work by examining the convergence and diver- gence of self- and informant-reported depression in autistic (n = 258) and non-autistic (n = 255) young adults. Methods Participants completed the BDI-II as a self-report measure of depression; informants completed the Achenbach Adult Behavior Checklist. Analyses probed for between-group differences in rates of depression symptoms, convergence between self- and informant-reported depression, and discrepancy between self- and informant-reported depression. Results Results indicated significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms in the autistic group. Convergence was signifi- cant in both groups, with significantly greater agreement in the autistic group. There was differential divergence, with the autistic group reporting significantly lower scores relative to informants, and the non-autistic group reporting significantly higher scores relative to informants. Conclusions Consistent with prior reports, results suggest that depression rates are elevated in autism. Additionally, while the BDI-II may be adequate for screening depressive symptoms in speaking autistic young adults, eliciting information from a close adult informant provides valuable diagnostic information, due to clinically critical concerns about underreporting in this population. Although controlled in analyses, between-group differences in gender, age, race, and informant identity, and a predominantly White and non-Latinx sample, limit the generalizability of these results.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2152202
PAR ID:
10613625
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ;
Publisher / Repository:
NSF Public Access Repository
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
ISSN:
0162-3257
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Depression Self-report Informant-report Convergence Discrepancy
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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