Nuzum, Eleanor;
(2024)
Autism and Suicidality in Midlife and Older Age: Investigating Mediating Effects of Mental Health and Social Connectedness.
Doctoral thesis (D.Clin.Psy), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Aims: Emerging research suggests an increased risk of suicidality among middle- aged and older autistic adults, over and above the already high suicide rates in midlife and older age. However, little is known about the underlying factors linking autism with suicidality in midlife and older age. / Methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 9,979 adults (76% female) aged over 50 completed questionnaires measuring autistic traits, current mental health, social connections and suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicidal self-harm). Path analysis was used to explore the relationship between autistic traits and suicidality and the mediating effects of current mental health, social connectedness and male/female sex. Regression analyses explored specific autistic traits and their links to suicidality. / Results: Depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), loneliness and social isolation all significantly mediated the relationship between autistic traits and suicidal ideation. For suicidal self-harm, male sex, depression, PTSD and social isolation were significant mediators. Aloof personality was associated with increased suicidal ideation and suicidal self-harm, whereas rigid personality and pragmatic language problems were associated with suicidal ideation only. / Conclusions: Mental health difficulties and social isolation mediated higher rates of suicidality in middle-aged and older adults with high autistic traits. Future research recommendations and clinical implications emphasise the importance of targeted and tailored interventions for people on the autism spectrum across the lifespan.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | D.Clin.Psy |
| Title: | Autism and Suicidality in Midlife and Older Age: Investigating Mediating Effects of Mental Health and Social Connectedness |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10197573 |
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