COVID-19 Health Distress among Autistic Adults: Does Psychological Flexibility Explain Effects of Health Distress on Mental Health Concerns?
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| Title: | COVID-19 Health Distress among Autistic Adults: Does Psychological Flexibility Explain Effects of Health Distress on Mental Health Concerns? |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Ty B. Aller (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2025 29(5):1359-1363. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 5 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | COVID-19, Pandemics, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Adults, Mental Health, Stress Variables, Cognitive Processes, Correlation, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Psychological Patterns, Individual Characteristics |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales, Impact of Event Scale |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241313403 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant health distress among autistic adults in the United States. While there is considerable evidence that autistic adults' COVID-19 health distress was related to increases in mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety, and stress), there is a less clear understanding of the possible mechanisms by which this process occurs. Accordingly, our participatory action research team assessed whether psychological flexibility, a strengths-based mechanism from acceptance and commitment therapy, mediated the association between COVID-19-related health distress and mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety, and stress). We found that among 281 autistic adults the positive relationship between COVID-19 health distress and mental health concerns was partially mediated by values progress (a component of psychological flexibility) and values obstruction (a component of psychological inflexibility). Results provide preliminary support that the strengths-based mechanism of psychological flexibility might be a salient therapeutic target to improve mental health among autistic adults experiencing health distress. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1469268 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant health distress among autistic adults in the United States. While there is considerable evidence that autistic adults' COVID-19 health distress was related to increases in mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety, and stress), there is a less clear understanding of the possible mechanisms by which this process occurs. Accordingly, our participatory action research team assessed whether psychological flexibility, a strengths-based mechanism from acceptance and commitment therapy, mediated the association between COVID-19-related health distress and mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety, and stress). We found that among 281 autistic adults the positive relationship between COVID-19 health distress and mental health concerns was partially mediated by values progress (a component of psychological flexibility) and values obstruction (a component of psychological inflexibility). Results provide preliminary support that the strengths-based mechanism of psychological flexibility might be a salient therapeutic target to improve mental health among autistic adults experiencing health distress. |
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| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613241313403 |
