Childhood Physical Abuse in Relation to Adult Social Functioning and Social Anxiety

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica R. Litteken ◽  
Laura Pawlow ◽  
Andy Pomerantz ◽  
Dan Segrist
2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndsey N. Karns ◽  
Coral Gaffney ◽  
Sarah Goldstein ◽  
Siddika Mulchan ◽  
Jacqueline Kerner ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R. Bemmer ◽  
Kelsie A. Boulton ◽  
Emma E. Thomas ◽  
Ben Larke ◽  
Suncica Lah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is a strong research imperative to investigate effective treatment options for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated social anxiety, difficulties with social functioning and poor mental health have all been identified as core treatment targets for this group. While theoretical models posit a strong bidirectionality between social anxiety and ASD social functioning deficits, few interventions have targeted both domains concurrently. Of the two group interventions previously conducted with adolescents and adults with ASD, significant results have only been observed in either social anxiety or social functioning, and have not generalised to changes in overall mood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit, tolerability and acceptability of a group cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) intervention in young adults with ASD. Primary treatment outcomes were social anxiety symptoms and social functioning difficulties; secondary outcomes were self-reported mood and overall distress. Method Ten groups of participants completed an eight-week, modified group CBT intervention targeting both social anxiety and social functioning, that included social skills training, exposure tasks and behavioural experiment components. Seventy-eight adolescents and young adults with ASD, without intellectual impairment, aged between 16 and 38 (M = 22.77; SD = 5.31), were recruited from the community, Headspace centres and the Autism Clinic for Translational Research at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney. Outcomes (social anxiety, social functioning and mood) were measured pre- and post-intervention via self-report questionnaires (administered either online or through the return of hard-copy booklets), and participants were invited to provide anonymous feedback on the intervention (at the mid-point and end of the intervention). Results Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements on all outcome measures in response to the intervention. Specifically, social anxiety symptoms decreased (p < .001), and specific subdomains of social functioning improved post-intervention, particularly in social motivation (p = .032) and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours (p = .025). Self-reported symptom improvements also generalised to mood (depression, anxiety and stress; p < .05). All improvements demonstrated small effect sizes. Participant feedback was positive and indicated strong satisfaction with the program. Limitations The absence of a control group and follow-up measures, reliance on self-report instruments as outcome measures and the exclusion of those with intellectual disability represent significant limitations to this study. Conclusions These findings indicate that a group CBT intervention appears to be a beneficial intervention for self-reported social anxiety, social functioning and overall mental health in adolescents and young adults with ASD. The stand-alone nature of the intervention combined with positive participant feedback indicates it was well tolerated, has potential clinical utility and warrants further study in a randomised-controlled, follow-up design.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 1096-2409-19.1. ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen S. Tillman ◽  
Michael D. Prazak ◽  
Lauren Burrier ◽  
Sadie Miller ◽  
Max Benezra ◽  
...  

This study sought to explore possible child abuse reporting disparities among school counselors. The participants in this study were elementary school counselors (N = 398) from across the United States. Each participant read a series of vignettes and completed a survey regarding their inclinations about suspecting and reporting childhood physical abuse. The surveys manipulated the following variables: student race, family socioeconomic status (between-subject variables), relationship with the school counselor, and severity of abuse (within-subject variables). School counselors were found to be more likely to suspect defensive parents of abuse than cooperative or non-involved parents. School counselors were also less likely to suspect abuse when a child reported being hit without physical evidence than if a child had a bruised or broken arm. Last, school counselors were more likely to report a child with a bruised arm over a child who reported being hit without physical evidence. Although certain concerns emerged as a result of this study and all signs of abuse should be reported to the appropriate authorities, school counselors were more likely, across the board, to report abuse than to suspect abuse.


2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-371
Author(s):  
Claudia Leite de Moraes ◽  
Marcela De Freitas Ferreira ◽  
Michael Eduardo Reichenheim ◽  
Aline Gaudard E Silva ◽  
Gloria Valeria da Véiga

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