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Coping, Daily Hassles and Behavior and Emotional Problems in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Disorder

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Abstract

Although daily hassles and coping are associated with behavior and emotional problems in non-clinical populations, few studies have investigated these relationships in individuals with high-functioning autism/Asperger’s Disorder (HFASD). This study examined the relationships between daily hassles, coping and behavior and emotional problems in adolescents with HFASD. Thirty-one adolescents with HFASD completed questionnaires assessing their coping and behavior and emotional problems, and completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment run via a mobile phone application on their coping and daily hassles. Parents completed questionnaires of the adolescents’ daily hassles, coping, and behavior and emotional problems. The disengagement coping style was associated with significantly higher levels of behavior and emotional problems regardless of respondent or methodology, suggesting it may be a valuable target for intervention.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Sylvia Kauer and Mr. Andrew Bowden for their help programming and solving technical issues of the mobiletype program. We also thank Dr. John Taffe for his assistance with data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Psychology & Psychiatry, Monash University, Early in Life Mental Health Service, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia

    Angela S. Khor, Glenn A. Melvin & Kylie M. Gray

  2. Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sophie C. Reid

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  1. Angela S. Khor
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Correspondence to Kylie M. Gray.

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Khor, A.S., Melvin, G.A., Reid, S.C. et al. Coping, Daily Hassles and Behavior and Emotional Problems in Adolescents with High-Functioning Autism/Asperger’s Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 593–608 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1912-x

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