Lived experiences of mothers, children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder based on depression
Downloads
Objective: Depression is very common in children and adolescents with autism. However, little is known about the nature of these children's subjective experience of depression and the impact of depression on their lives. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lived experience of mothers, children, and adolescents with autism disorder, focusing on depression.
Methods and Materials: The research method used a qualitative, phenomenological approach. The statistical population of the research was mothers, children, and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder in Bushehr city, who were selected by purposeful sampling. All children and adolescents had previously experienced at least one episode of depression. Their lived experiences were collected through semi-structured interviews. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the Colaizzi method. In this research, 12 interviews were conducted with parents and children. The research sample included six mothers and six children and adolescents with autism.
Findings: The findings of the study are presented in 6 main topics, including problems in relationships with peers, experiences related to autism, feelings of pessimism and anhedonia, Impactful difficulties with focus and concentration, tendency to irritability, anger, and aggressive behaviors, and co-occurring relationships between anxiety and depression.
Conclusion: The present study highlights the key challenges of families and children and adolescents with autism disorder from depression and focuses on increasing awareness about the effects of depression symptoms on autism spectrum disorder.
Downloads
Association, A. P. (2023). Understanding mental disorders: Your guide to DSM-5-TR®. American Psychiatric Pub. https://books.google.com/books?id=bR3dEAAAQBAJ&lpg=PR7&ots=vihDQOc4an&dq=Association%2C%20A.%20P.%20(2023).%20Understanding%20mental%20disorders%3A%20Your%20guide%20to%20DSM-5-TR%C2%AE.%20American%20Psychiatric%20Pub.&lr=lang_en&pg=PR7#v=onepage&q=Association,%20A.%20P.%20(2023).%20Understanding%20mental%20disorders:%20Your%20guide%20to%20DSM-5-TR%C2%AE.%20American%20Psychiatric%20Pub.&f=false
Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The autism-spectrum quotient (AQ): evidence from Asperger syndrome/high-functioning autism, males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 31(1), 5-17. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005653411471
Bitsika, V., & Sharpley, C. F. (2015). Differences in the prevalence, severity and symptom profiles of depression in boys and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder versus normally developing controls. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 62(2), 158-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2014.998179
Blanchard, A., Chihuri, S., DiGuiseppi, C. G., & Li, G. (2021). Risk of self-harm in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA network open, 4(10), e2130272-e2130272. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.30272
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Chandrasekhar, T., & Sikich, L. (2015). Challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of depression in autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 17(2), 219-227. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2015.17.2/tchandrasekhar
Charlot, L., Deutsch, C. K., Albert, A., Hunt, A., Connor, D. F., & McIlvane Jr, W. J. (2008). Mood and anxiety symptoms in psychiatric inpatients with autism spectrum disorder and depression. Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 1(4), 238-253. https://doi.org/10.1080/19315860802313947
Cresswell, L., Hinch, R., & Cage, E. (2019). The experiences of peer relationships amongst autistic adolescents: A systematic review of the qualitative evidence. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 61, 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2019.01.003
D’Angelo, E., Sinclair-McBride, K., Tunick, R., & Morelli, N. (2018). Screening and assessment of depression. In Handbook of Pediatric Psychological Screening and Assessment in Primary Care (pp. 163-194). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315193199-7/screening-assessment-depression-eugene-angelo-keneisha-sinclair-mcbride-rachel-tunick-nicholas-morelli
Eyre, O., Hughes, R. A., Thapar, A. K., Leibenluft, E., Stringaris, A., Davey Smith, G., Stergiakouli, E., Collishaw, S., & Thapar, A. (2019). Childhood neurodevelopmental difficulties and risk of adolescent depression: the role of irritability. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 60(8), 866-874. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13053
Ghaziuddin, M., Ghaziuddin, N., & Greden, J. (2002). Depression in persons with autism: Implications for research and clinical care. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 32(4), 299-306. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016330802348
Gotham, K., Brunwasser, S. M., & Lord, C. (2015). Depressive and anxiety symptom trajectories from school age through young adulthood in samples with autism spectrum disorder and developmental delay. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(5), 369-376. e363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2015.02.005
Grady, M. P. (1998). Qualitative and action research: A practitioner handbook. Phi Delta Kappa International. https://books.google.com/books?id=JOr3-A3-LbwC&lpg=PA1&ots=hDYNUakzNY&dq=Grady%2C%20M.%20P.%20(1998).%20Qualitative%20and%20action%20research%3A%20A%20practitioner%20handbook.%20Phi%20Delta%20Kappa%20International.&lr=lang_en&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Greenlee, J. L., Mosley, A. S., Shui, A. M., Veenstra-VanderWeele, J., & Gotham, K. O. (2016). Medical and behavioral correlates of depression history in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, 137(Supplement_2), S105-S114. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-2851I
Halsall, J., Clarke, C., & Crane, L. (2021). “Camouflaging” by adolescent autistic girls who attend both mainstream and specialist resource classes: Perspectives of girls, their mothers and their educators. Autism, 25(7), 2074-2086. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211012819
Hedley, D., Uljarević, M., Foley, K. R., Richdale, A., & Trollor, J. (2018). Risk and protective factors underlying depression and suicidal ideation in autism spectrum disorder. Depression and anxiety, 35(7), 648-657. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22759
Hetrick, S. E., Parker, A. G., Robinson, J., Hall, N., & Vance, A. (2011). Predicting suicidal risk in a cohort of depressed children and adolescents. Crisis. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000095
Hudson, C. C., Hall, L., & Harkness, K. L. (2019). Prevalence of depressive disorders in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 47(1), 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0402-1
Jane Costello, E., Erkanli, A., & Angold, A. (2006). Is there an epidemic of child or adolescent depression? Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 47(12), 1263-1271. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01682.x
Joshi, G., Wozniak, J., Petty, C., Martelon, M. K., Fried, R., Bolfek, A., Kotte, A., Stevens, J., Furtak, S. L., & Bourgeois, M. (2013). Psychiatric comorbidity and functioning in a clinically referred population of adults with autism spectrum disorders: a comparative study. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 43(6), 1314-1325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1679-5
Lugnegård, T., Hallerbäck, M. U., & Gillberg, C. (2011). Psychiatric comorbidity in young adults with a clinical diagnosis of Asperger syndrome. Research in developmental disabilities, 32(5), 1910-1917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.03.025
Maenner, M. J. (2023). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2020. MMWR. Surveillance Summaries, 72. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7202a1
Magnuson, K. M., & Constantino, J. N. (2011). Characterization of depression in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 32(4), 332-340. https://doi.org/10.1097/DBP.0b013e318213f56c
Matson, J. L., & Nebel-Schwalm, M. S. (2007). Comorbid psychopathology with autism spectrum disorder in children: An overview. Research in developmental disabilities, 28(4), 341-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2007.06.006
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2005.12.004
Mazurek, M. O. (2014). Loneliness, friendship, and well-being in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 18(3), 223-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361312474121
McLeod, G. F., Horwood, L. J., & Fergusson, D. M. (2016). Adolescent depression, adult mental health and psychosocial outcomes at 30 and 35 years. Psychological medicine, 46(7), 1401-1412. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715002950
Menezes, M., Harkins, C., Robinson, M. F., & Mazurek, M. O. (2020). Treatment of depression in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 78, 101639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101639
Merikangas, K. R., He, J.-p., Burstein, M., Swanson, S. A., Avenevoli, S., Cui, L., Benjet, C., Georgiades, K., & Swendsen, J. (2010). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in US adolescents: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(10), 980-989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2010.05.017
Mohammadi, M. R., Ahmadi, N., Khaleghi, A., Zarafshan, H., Mostafavi, S.-A., Kamali, K., Rahgozar, M., Ahmadi, A., Hooshyari, Z., & Alavi, S. S. (2019). Prevalence of autism and its comorbidities and the relationship with maternal psychopathology: a national population-based study. Archives of Iranian medicine, 22(10), 546-553. http://eprints.mui.ac.ir/id/eprint/11250
Ozsivadjian, A., Knott, F., & Magiati, I. (2012). Parent and child perspectives on the nature of anxiety in children and young people with autism spectrum disorders: A focus group study. Autism, 16(2), 107-121. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361311431703
Patel, V., Flisher, A. J., Hetrick, S., & McGorry, P. (2007). Mental health of young people: a global public-health challenge. The lancet, 369(9569), 1302-1313. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60368-7
Paul, R. (2007). Language disorders from infancy through adolescence: Assessment & intervention (Vol. 324). Elsevier Health Sciences. https://books.google.com/books?id=QxLfgByBvToC&lpg=PA3&ots=zqwKqhWAIZ&dq=Paul%2C%20R.%20(2007).%20Language%20disorders%20from%20infancy%20through%20adolescence%3A%20Assessment%20%26%20intervention%20(Vol.%20324).%20Elsevier%20Health%20Sciences.&lr=lang_en&pg=PA1#v=onepage&q=Paul,%20R.%20(2007).%20Language%20disorders%20from%20infancy%20through%20adolescence:%20Assessment%20&%20intervention%20(Vol.%20324).%20Elsevier%20Health%20Sciences.&f=false
Pezzimenti, F., Han, G. T., Vasa, R. A., & Gotham, K. (2019). Depression in youth with autism spectrum disorder. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 28(3), 397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2019.02.009
Pfeiffer, P. N., Heisler, M., Piette, J. D., Rogers, M. A., & Valenstein, M. (2011). Efficacy of peer support interventions for depression: a meta-analysis. General hospital psychiatry, 33(1), 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.10.002
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2010). Generalization in quantitative and qualitative research: Myths and strategies. International journal of nursing studies, 47(11), 1451-1458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.06.004
Rai, D., Culpin, I., Heuvelman, H., Magnusson, C. M., Carpenter, P., Jones, H. J., Emond, A. M., Zammit, S., Golding, J., & Pearson, R. M. (2018). Association of autistic traits with depression from childhood to age 18 years. JAMA psychiatry, 75(8), 835-843. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.1323
Rhodes, S. M., Eaton, C. B., Oldridge, J., Rodgers, J., Chan, S., Skouta, E., McKechanie, A. G., Mackie, L., & Stewart, T. M. (2023). Lived experiences of depression in autistic children and adolescents: A qualitative study on child and parent perspectives. Research in developmental disabilities, 138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104516
Rice, F., Riglin, L., Lomax, T., Souter, E., Potter, R., Smith, D., Thapar, A. K., & Thapar, A. (2019). Adolescent and adult differences in major depression symptom profiles. Journal of affective disorders, 243, 175-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.015
Rieffe, C., De Bruine, M., De Rooij, M., & Stockmann, L. (2014). Approach and avoidant emotion regulation prevent depressive symptoms in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience, 39, 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.06.003
Santomauro, D., Sheffield, J., & Sofronoff, K. (2017). Investigations into emotion regulation difficulties among adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative study. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 42(3), 275-284. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2016.1236240
Simonoff, E., Pickles, A., Charman, T., Chandler, S., Loucas, T., & Baird, G. (2008). Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 47(8), 921-929. https://doi.org/10.1097/CHI.0b013e318179964f
Stewart, T. M., Martin, K., Fazi, M., Oldridge, J., Piper, A., & Rhodes, S. M. (2022). A systematic review of the rates of depression in autistic children and adolescents without intellectual disability. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 95(1), 313-344. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12366
Watkins, E., & Baracaia, S. (2002). Rumination and social problem-solving in depression. Behaviour research and therapy, 40(10), 1179-1189. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(01)00098-5
White, S. W., Maddox, B. B., & Mazefsky, C. A. (2020). The Oxford handbook of autism and co-occurring psychiatric conditions. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190910761.001.0001
Zarekar, A., Demehri, F., RostamNia, S., & Rasouli, A. A. (2014). Examining the relationship of autistic spectrum traits and depression between the girl students of Ilam Medical Sciences university. Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences, 21(7), 178-185. http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-1428-en.html
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
