Emotion regulation in individuals with autism spectrum disorders / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

Emotion dysregulation is a common issue experienced by individuals with autism spectrum disorders(ASD). It is a potential common factor for a variety of emotional and behavioral problems, and is associated with a wide range of negative mental and physical health outcomes. It is challenging to objectively measure and reasonably explain the ability of emotion regulation (ER) in individuals with ASD. Children with ASD tended to show stronger negative emotional responses, with poor ER skills, less use of various adaptive ER strategies (such as cognitive reappraisal and acceptance), and more frequent use of maladaptive strategies (such as inhibition and repetitive behaviors). The relationships between the core symptoms of ASD and ER impairments, as well as their relationships with functional outcomes and psychopathology, are complex and need further study. The study of the neural mechanism of emotion regulation in ASD can promote the development of different types of targeted interventions. Preliminary results from pilot studies suggesting that cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based ER interventions are feasible and effective in improving ER skills of individuals with ASD. The studies highlight the role of ER impairments in ASD and the importance of incorporating emotion regulation into routine mental health interventions for children with ASD.