Autistic adults often experience co-occurring depressive symptoms. While earlier research has primarily focused on depression in autistic children, this study examines contributing factors in adulthood. A broad range of variables was analysed, including sociodemographic characteristics and autism-related traits such as sensory sensitivity and restricted and repetitive behaviours.
Results
Older age, lower income, and a greater number of co-occurring psychosocial problems were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms.
A notable finding was that autism characteristics themselves were only weakly associated with depressive symptoms. Instead, other factors showed stronger associations.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the difficulty older autistic individuals may encounter in accessing support services primarily designed for younger populations. Moreover, co-occurring problems and lower income can exacerbate these challenges, leading to instability and limited access to resources. These results underscore the urgent need for societal inclusion and tailored support systems to promote the mental well-being of autistic adults.
Read the full publication: The Role of Demographic and Autism Specific Factors on the Level of Depression in Autistic Adults