The role of emotion dysregulation in adaptive functioning associated with internalizing symptoms among neurodiverse youth

Presentation Type

Abstract

Faculty Advisor

Erin Kang

Access Type

Event

Start Date

25-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

25-4-2025 9:59 AM

Description

Adaptive functioning (AF) refers to an individual’s ability to manage daily life demands and maintain personal independence.1 Emotion dysregulation(ED) is a key feature of several clinical disorders, can hinder self-care abilities, particularly in the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, and is significantly elevated in autistic youth2 Given that ED may interfere with daily functioning, understanding how ED impacts AF could help identify intervention targets for neurodiverse youth. This project examines ED and AF in neurodiverse youth experiencing symptoms of internalizing disorders. Parents of thirteen youth aged 11 to 17 (M=11.46, SD=2.37; 57.1% female) reported on youth’s emotion dysregulation (EDI)2, adaptive behaviors (ABAS)3, and internalizing symptoms (CASI)4. ABAS was negatively correlated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (r=-.68, p=.011), Major Depressive Episode (r=-.73, p=.005), and Persistent Depression (r=-.73, p=.023), but not Social Anxiety (r=-.11, p=.723). ABAS was negatively correlated with ED Reactivity (r=-.69, p=.009), but not ED Dysphoria (r=-.40, p=.173). Additional mediation analysis will be run prior to the date of the symposium to assess ED as a potential predictor between ED and internalizing disorders. Overall, higher severity of internalizing symptoms (except Social Anxiety) negatively relates to one’s AF, and poorer AF may be may be linked to trouble managing emotional reactions but not to overall feelings of sadness or distress. These findings suggest that interventions targeting emotional reactivity, rather than general distress, may be more effective in improving adaptive functioning in individuals with internalizing symptoms.

Comments

Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.

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Apr 25th, 9:00 AM Apr 25th, 9:59 AM

The role of emotion dysregulation in adaptive functioning associated with internalizing symptoms among neurodiverse youth

Adaptive functioning (AF) refers to an individual’s ability to manage daily life demands and maintain personal independence.1 Emotion dysregulation(ED) is a key feature of several clinical disorders, can hinder self-care abilities, particularly in the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, and is significantly elevated in autistic youth2 Given that ED may interfere with daily functioning, understanding how ED impacts AF could help identify intervention targets for neurodiverse youth. This project examines ED and AF in neurodiverse youth experiencing symptoms of internalizing disorders. Parents of thirteen youth aged 11 to 17 (M=11.46, SD=2.37; 57.1% female) reported on youth’s emotion dysregulation (EDI)2, adaptive behaviors (ABAS)3, and internalizing symptoms (CASI)4. ABAS was negatively correlated with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (r=-.68, p=.011), Major Depressive Episode (r=-.73, p=.005), and Persistent Depression (r=-.73, p=.023), but not Social Anxiety (r=-.11, p=.723). ABAS was negatively correlated with ED Reactivity (r=-.69, p=.009), but not ED Dysphoria (r=-.40, p=.173). Additional mediation analysis will be run prior to the date of the symposium to assess ED as a potential predictor between ED and internalizing disorders. Overall, higher severity of internalizing symptoms (except Social Anxiety) negatively relates to one’s AF, and poorer AF may be may be linked to trouble managing emotional reactions but not to overall feelings of sadness or distress. These findings suggest that interventions targeting emotional reactivity, rather than general distress, may be more effective in improving adaptive functioning in individuals with internalizing symptoms.