Hebron, J and Humphrey, N (2014) Mental health difficulties among young people on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools: A comparative study. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 14 (1). pp. 22-32. ISSN 1471-3802
Abstract
Young people on the autistic spectrum (AS) may be at an increased risk of developing mental health difficulties, but to date research evidence has been equivocal and/or inadequate. The aim of the current study was to document the mental health profiles of adolescents on the AS, and to identify factors that contribute to difficulties in this area. Mental health profiles of a group of adolescents on the AS (N=22) were compared to age, gender and SEN-provision-matched control groups of adolescents with dyslexia (N=21) and with no special educational needs (N=23) using the Beck Youth Inventories. Additionally, five participants on the AS participated in semi-structured interviews about their experience of school. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that adolescents on the AS experienced significantly greater anxiety, depression, anger and lower self-concept than those with no special educational needs. They also experienced significantly greater anxiety and anger than those with dyslexia. Qualitative analysis revealed that problems in social relationships, understanding the nature of the AS, and disruptions to routine were common contributory factors to the mental health difficulties of participants. However, interview data also revealed key coping strategies implemented by participants to help them overcome their difficulties. The implications of these findings are discussed, and methodological limitations are noted.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs © 2012 NASEN. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Hebron, J and Humphrey, N (2014) Mental health difficulties among young people on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools: A comparative study. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 14 (1). pp. 22-32 , which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-3802.2012.01246.x. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. |
Keywords: | mental health; autism; Asperger syndrome; inclusive education; secondary school |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Education (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 18 May 2018 10:21 |
Last Modified: | 18 May 2018 10:21 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley-Blackwell |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/j.1471-3802.2012.01246.x |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:119967 |