More than Leisure: Organized Activity Participation and Socio-Emotional Adjustment Among Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Amy Bohnert, Rebecca Lieb, Nicole Arola

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Adolescents with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) experience difficulties with socio-emotional adjustment, including compromised friendships, feelings of loneliness, and depression. Using a sample of 127 adolescents with HFASD and their parents, this study is first to examine: (1) relations between organized activity (OA) involvement and adjustment and (2) whether these relations were moderated by social impairment and executive functions. Results indicated that greater intensity, breadth, and academic OA involvement were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. OA intensity was also associated with less loneliness. For adolescents with better emotional control, greater intensity was associated with better friendship quality. Results suggest that for adolescents with HFASD, more involvement in OA is associated with better socio-emotional adjustment even after accounting for risk factors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2637-2652
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume49
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Organized activity
  • Social adjustment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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