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.
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.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.