What you need to know
Adults with Asperger syndrome (AS) have a higher rate of suicide attempts compared to the general population. Those with a history of past suicide attempts also reported that they had more severe AS symptoms, such as difficulties with communication and attention. This research contributes to our understanding of the cause of high suicide rates for adults with AS.
What is this research about?
Individuals with AS may be at a higher risk of suicide when compared to the general population. It is important to understand what causes certain people with AS to attempt suicide. Many past studies have been single participant case studies, which limits how we can apply the results to a larger population. This study aimed to study the demographic and clinical variables connected with past suicide attempts in adults with AS. The authors also looked at the types of support and services people with AS were receiving after having attempted suicide.
What did the researchers do?
The researchers recruited 50 participants with AS through autism advocacy organizations and websites. The data was collected as part of a larger project on health service use in AS. In an online survey, participants were asked to provide information about themselves such as:
- whether they had a history of anxiety or depression
- what services they use
- the severity of their AS symptoms
Severity was measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient which includes items about social skills, attention switching, attention to detail, communication and imagination.
What did the researchers find?
Eighteen out of 50 adults (36%) reported a previous suicide attempt. This is much higher than the general population, where an average rate of 4.5% is commonly reported. Individuals who had previously attempted suicide were more likely to report a history of problems with depression. Many who had not attempted suicide also had problems with anxiety and depression. Those who had previously attempted suicide were also more likely to have greater difficulties in attention switching and communication. Problems with communication can make it harder to ask for help. Problems with attention switching can make it easy to get “stuck” thinking about certain things and therefore, harder to adjust to change. The majority (67%) of those who attempted suicide used at least one mental health service in the two months prior to the study.
Eighteen out of 50 adults (36%) reported a previous suicide attempt. This is much higher than the general population, where an average rate of 4.5% is commonly reported.
How can you use this research?
Many of the participants in this study struggled with depression and anxiety, and over 35% attempted suicide. It is important to raise awareness of the mental health concerns many individuals with AS face. Adults with AS require specific mental health interventions to address the higher rate of suicide.
About the Researchers
Melissa Paquette-Smith and Yona Lunsky are researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
Jonathan Weiss is the Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research and a researcher at York University.
Citation
Paquette-Smith, M., Weiss, J., & Lunsky, Y. (2014). History of suicide attempts in adults with Asperger syndrome. Crisis, 35(4), 273-277.
This research summary was written by Jordan Cleland for the Chair in Autism Spectrum Disorders Treatment and Care Research. This research summary, along with other summaries, can be found at asdmentalhealth.ca/research-summaries
Reproduced with the permission of Dr. Jonathan Weiss (York University). This research summary was developed with funding from the Chair in ASD Treatment and Care Research. The Chair was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada, the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance, Health Canada, Kids Brain Health Network (formerly NeuroDevNet) and the Sinneave Family Foundation. This information appeared originally in the Autism Mental Health Blog (https://asdmentalhealth.blog.yorku.ca).
Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash
