Charlton, Rebecca A; McQuaid, Goldie A; Bishop, Lauren and Wallace, Gregory L.. 2023. Cardiovascular risk and emotion regulation contribute to depression symptomatology in middle-aged and older autistic adults. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 101, 102089. ISSN 1750-9467 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and executive function difficulties increase during later-life and are associated with depression symptoms among non-autistic older people. These associations, however, have not yet been explored among middle-aged and older autistic people.

Methods: Using data collected via Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK), Research Match, we examined the frequency of CVRF, and associations between CVRF, executive function and depression symptoms in 387 middle-aged and older autistic people (aged 40-83 years).

Results: Autistic adults reported high rates of CVRF (two, 28.9%; three or more, 23.2%). Rates of high cholesterol and obesity were greater among middle-aged and older autistic adults compared to the general population. CVRF, age, and emotion regulation (but not inhibitory control), were significantly associated with depression symptoms in middle-aged and older autistic adults.

Conclusions: CVRF occur at high rates in middle-aged and older autistic adults, and it is important that healthcare providers monitor risk factors in order to implement preventative strategies. CVRF are associated with depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older autistic adults, but may not be as important as difficulties with emotion regulation.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102089
Additional Information:	Funding: The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The George Washington University start-up funds to Gregory Wallace; Autism Speaks (Grant number: 11808) to Goldie McQuaid; the Fulbright Visiting Scholar program to Rebecca Charlton; and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Grant number: U54HD090256) to the Waisman Center. Acknowledgements: We are grateful to all of the autistic adults in SPARK, the SPARK clinical sites and SPARK staff. We appreciate obtaining access to recruit participants through SPARK Research Match on SFARI Base.
Keywords:	Ageing, Autism, Cardiovascular risk factors, Depression, Emotion regulation, Later-life, Physical health
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Psychology
Dates:	Date Event 6 December 2022 Accepted 17 December 2022 Published Online March 2023 Published
Item ID:	33030
Date Deposited:	10 Jan 2023 14:09
Last Modified:	10 Jan 2023 14:09
Peer Reviewed:	Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/33030

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