Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students
<b>Background:</b> Recent research has examined the associations between autistic traits and the well-being of students. This research has also included measures of ADHD and mental health. <b>Methods:</b> To understand the association and interaction of well-being and mental...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Japnoor Garcha Andrew P. Smith Arwel James |
| author_facet | Japnoor Garcha Andrew P. Smith Arwel James |
| author_sort | Japnoor Garcha |
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| description | <b>Background:</b> Recent research has examined the associations between autistic traits and the well-being of students. This research has also included measures of ADHD and mental health. <b>Methods:</b> To understand the association and interaction of well-being and mental health with autistic traits (AQ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits, a survey was given to 578 secondary school students. The survey used the well-being process questionnaire (WPQ), the autism spectrum quotient, the ADHD self-report scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). <b>Results:</b> The analysis conducted using SPSS showed that there was a significant correlation between anxiety, depression, AQ, and ADHD. Anxiety and depression were also significantly correlated with all well-being and SDQ variables. The regression analysis, including psychosocial predictors of well-being, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and AQ, showed that anxiety and depression were strongly associated with well-being outcomes. In contrast, AQ and ADHD were associated with hyperactivity, peer problems, and reduced prosocial behaviour. The associations between anxiety, depression, and well-being outcomes were stronger than with either AQ or ADHD. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study extends previous research from university samples to a secondary school sample. This shows the importance of investigating associations between subclinical traits and psychological symptoms in early adolescence, as this will lead to better-informed prevention and early intervention strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-edd2f2c455404e30874966b4473c7b1a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-edd2f2c455404e30874966b4473c7b1a2025-08-20T03:27:28ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-06-0115660910.3390/brainsci15060609Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School StudentsJapnoor Garcha0Andrew P. Smith1Arwel James2Department of Occupational and Health Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UKSchool of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UKSchool of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK<b>Background:</b> Recent research has examined the associations between autistic traits and the well-being of students. This research has also included measures of ADHD and mental health. <b>Methods:</b> To understand the association and interaction of well-being and mental health with autistic traits (AQ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits, a survey was given to 578 secondary school students. The survey used the well-being process questionnaire (WPQ), the autism spectrum quotient, the ADHD self-report scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties questionnaire (SDQ). <b>Results:</b> The analysis conducted using SPSS showed that there was a significant correlation between anxiety, depression, AQ, and ADHD. Anxiety and depression were also significantly correlated with all well-being and SDQ variables. The regression analysis, including psychosocial predictors of well-being, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and AQ, showed that anxiety and depression were strongly associated with well-being outcomes. In contrast, AQ and ADHD were associated with hyperactivity, peer problems, and reduced prosocial behaviour. The associations between anxiety, depression, and well-being outcomes were stronger than with either AQ or ADHD. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study extends previous research from university samples to a secondary school sample. This shows the importance of investigating associations between subclinical traits and psychological symptoms in early adolescence, as this will lead to better-informed prevention and early intervention strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/609ADHD traitsanxietyautistic traitsdepressionsecondary school students |
| spellingShingle | Japnoor Garcha Andrew P. Smith Arwel James Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students Brain Sciences ADHD traits anxiety autistic traits depression secondary school students |
| title | Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students |
| title_full | Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students |
| title_fullStr | Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students |
| title_short | Mental Health Correlates of Autistic and ADHD Traits in Secondary School Students |
| title_sort | mental health correlates of autistic and adhd traits in secondary school students |
| topic | ADHD traits anxiety autistic traits depression secondary school students |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/609 |
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