The researchers did this study to explore gender and age on stress and emotional distress in adults with an autism spectrum disorder.
The sample size consisted of 109 people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who completed the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) and Stress Survey Schedule (SSS). The researchers compared the clinical population with Australian norms for DASS depression, anxiety, and stress, both males and females with ASD, showed elevated scores. Females scored significantly higher on the DASS depression subscale than same-aged males and younger males and females. Significant gender and age differences were evident on SSS subscales. The females were more stressed on Pleasant Events, Sensory/Personal Contact, and Social and Environmental subscales, and adult females, in particular, were more stressed on items around Change and Social Threats and Anticipation/Uncertainty. Young people were less stressed on seven of the eight SSS subscales than older people.
The study concluded that emotional vulnerability in people with ASD varies according to gender and age, with adult females at particular risk.
Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1088357614549317
