Examining the Relationship Between Profiles of Anxiety and IQ
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Erin Kang
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
26-4-2024 3:15 PM
Description
Research examining relationships between intelligence and anxiety presents mixed findings, particularly in autistic youth. Some research suggests higher IQ is associated with anxiety (Mingins et al., 2021) while other research links lower IQ with anxiety (Rosenberg et al., 2011). Understanding how different anxiety symptoms relate to IQ can assist in clarifying this relationship. This project seeks to examine the relationship amongst IQ and anxiety, in both autistic and non-autistic children. Parents of seventy-two neurodiverse youth (Mage=11.76, SD=3.20; Autistic: 43; 60% male) completed measures of their child’s anxiety (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-2 [MASC-2]; March et al., 2013). Clinician administered assessments were used to establish IQ (Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 [KBIT]; Bain et al., 2010). Bivariate correlations indicate significant correlations between anxiety MASC-2 subscales and IQ. Full-scale IQ demonstrated significant negative correlations with Obsessions and Compulsions (OC; r= -.239) and Tense/Restlessness (T/R; r= -.265). Verbal IQ was found to be negatively correlated with both the OC (r= -.286) and the T/R (r= -.297) subscales (all p<0.05). No relationship was found amongst nonverbal IQ and anxiety. Moderations analyses conducted to examine the impact of autistic traits on this relationship were not significant. These findings provide insight into the correlation between parent-reported anxiety and their children’s IQ levels, ultimately highlighting a significant relationship between the two, across both autistic and non-autistic youth.
Examining the Relationship Between Profiles of Anxiety and IQ
Research examining relationships between intelligence and anxiety presents mixed findings, particularly in autistic youth. Some research suggests higher IQ is associated with anxiety (Mingins et al., 2021) while other research links lower IQ with anxiety (Rosenberg et al., 2011). Understanding how different anxiety symptoms relate to IQ can assist in clarifying this relationship. This project seeks to examine the relationship amongst IQ and anxiety, in both autistic and non-autistic children. Parents of seventy-two neurodiverse youth (Mage=11.76, SD=3.20; Autistic: 43; 60% male) completed measures of their child’s anxiety (Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children-2 [MASC-2]; March et al., 2013). Clinician administered assessments were used to establish IQ (Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 [KBIT]; Bain et al., 2010). Bivariate correlations indicate significant correlations between anxiety MASC-2 subscales and IQ. Full-scale IQ demonstrated significant negative correlations with Obsessions and Compulsions (OC; r= -.239) and Tense/Restlessness (T/R; r= -.265). Verbal IQ was found to be negatively correlated with both the OC (r= -.286) and the T/R (r= -.297) subscales (all p<0.05). No relationship was found amongst nonverbal IQ and anxiety. Moderations analyses conducted to examine the impact of autistic traits on this relationship were not significant. These findings provide insight into the correlation between parent-reported anxiety and their children’s IQ levels, ultimately highlighting a significant relationship between the two, across both autistic and non-autistic youth.