Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time
BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of ASD, impairing social functioning and quality of life. This meta-analysis evalu...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2024.1520854/full |
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| author | Maryam Masoomi Mahdieh Saeidi Rommy Cedeno Rommy Cedeno Zahra Shahrivar Mehdi Tehrani-Doost Zerimar Ramirez Divya Aishwarya Gandi Sasidhar Gunturu Sasidhar Gunturu |
| author_facet | Maryam Masoomi Mahdieh Saeidi Rommy Cedeno Rommy Cedeno Zahra Shahrivar Mehdi Tehrani-Doost Zerimar Ramirez Divya Aishwarya Gandi Sasidhar Gunturu Sasidhar Gunturu |
| author_sort | Maryam Masoomi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of ASD, impairing social functioning and quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluates emotion recognition accuracy and response time in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical individuals and those with other neurodevelopmental disorders.MethodsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science identified 13 studies published between 2006 and 2024. Data on emotion recognition accuracy and response times were synthesized using standardized mean differences in random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness.ResultsIndividuals with ASD exhibited significantly lower overall emotion recognition accuracy compared to TD individuals (SMD = −1.29, 95% CI: −2.20 to −0.39, p < 0.01) and NDDs (SMD = −0.89, 95% CI: −1.23 to −0.55, p = 0.02). Response times were significantly prolonged in ASD compared to TD individuals (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36–0.63, p < 0.01) but not when compared to NDDs. Emotion-specific analyses did not consistently reveal significant differences across emotions (fear, anger, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise), with substantial heterogeneity observed across studies (I2 > 50%).ConclusionsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis highlights significant impairments in emotion recognition accuracy and processing speed among individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly compared to neurotypical individuals. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions to address these deficits, which are foundational to improving social cognition and quality of life in autism spectrum disorder. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies and explore cultural and contextual factors influencing emotion recognition abilities.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=627339, PROSPERO (CRD42024627339). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5648769d62cd4a2c959dbe59f0df823f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2813-4540 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-5648769d62cd4a2c959dbe59f0df823f2025-01-14T06:10:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry2813-45402025-01-01310.3389/frcha.2024.15208541520854Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response timeMaryam Masoomi0Mahdieh Saeidi1Rommy Cedeno2Rommy Cedeno3Zahra Shahrivar4Mehdi Tehrani-Doost5Zerimar Ramirez6Divya Aishwarya Gandi7Sasidhar Gunturu8Sasidhar Gunturu9Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Alborz, IranDepartment of Psychiatry, BronxCare Health System, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United StatesDivision of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Alborz, IranResearch Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Roozbeh Psychiatry Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Psychiatry, BronxCare Health System, New York, NY, United StatesMedical School, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, IndiaBronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, New York, NY, United StatesDepartment of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United StatesBackgroundAutism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent challenges in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Emotion recognition deficits are a core feature of ASD, impairing social functioning and quality of life. This meta-analysis evaluates emotion recognition accuracy and response time in individuals with autism spectrum disorder compared to neurotypical individuals and those with other neurodevelopmental disorders.MethodsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science identified 13 studies published between 2006 and 2024. Data on emotion recognition accuracy and response times were synthesized using standardized mean differences in random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure robustness.ResultsIndividuals with ASD exhibited significantly lower overall emotion recognition accuracy compared to TD individuals (SMD = −1.29, 95% CI: −2.20 to −0.39, p < 0.01) and NDDs (SMD = −0.89, 95% CI: −1.23 to −0.55, p = 0.02). Response times were significantly prolonged in ASD compared to TD individuals (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36–0.63, p < 0.01) but not when compared to NDDs. Emotion-specific analyses did not consistently reveal significant differences across emotions (fear, anger, happiness, sadness, disgust, surprise), with substantial heterogeneity observed across studies (I2 > 50%).ConclusionsThis systematic review with a meta-analysis highlights significant impairments in emotion recognition accuracy and processing speed among individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly compared to neurotypical individuals. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions to address these deficits, which are foundational to improving social cognition and quality of life in autism spectrum disorder. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies and explore cultural and contextual factors influencing emotion recognition abilities.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=627339, PROSPERO (CRD42024627339).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2024.1520854/fullautism spectrum disorderemotion recognitionmeta-analysisresponse timesocial cognition |
| spellingShingle | Maryam Masoomi Mahdieh Saeidi Rommy Cedeno Rommy Cedeno Zahra Shahrivar Mehdi Tehrani-Doost Zerimar Ramirez Divya Aishwarya Gandi Sasidhar Gunturu Sasidhar Gunturu Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry autism spectrum disorder emotion recognition meta-analysis response time social cognition |
| title | Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time |
| title_full | Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time |
| title_fullStr | Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time |
| title_short | Emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a comprehensive meta-analysis of accuracy and response time |
| title_sort | emotion recognition deficits in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder a comprehensive meta analysis of accuracy and response time |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder emotion recognition meta-analysis response time social cognition |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frcha.2024.1520854/full |
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