Document Type

Preprint

Publication Date

8-20-2026

Journal / Book Title

Autism

Abstract

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is defined as difficulty regulating emotions in response to activating situations, and subsequent difficulty choosing an environmentally appropriate strategy to modulate one’s emotions. Despite ED being identified as a transdiagnostic construct, little research has examined the links to constructs like social communication and interaction (SCI) and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). SCIs and RRBs are core components of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, as well as other mental health conditions more broadly. This article sought to examine the effects of emotional dysphoria and emotional reactivity on SCI and RRBs. Caregivers of 99 youth (64 autistic) ages 6 to 17 completed questionnaires about their child’s ED, SCI, and RRBs. Path models were used to examine ED’s impact on SCI difficulties and RRBs. Results suggest that both SCI and RRBs are affected by ED dysphoria and reactivity, with some differences across autistic and non-autistic groups. These findings can inform treatments for medication management and intervention planning for different profiles of ED in both autistic and non-autistic youth.

DOI

10.1177/13623613261472147

Published Citation

Published in final edited form as: Autism. 2026 October ; 30(10): 2558–2569. doi:10.1177/13623613261472147.

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