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Marquette University

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

2021

Autism

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Psychology

Applying The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model Of Marriage To Couples Raising An Autistic Child: A Call For Research On Adaptive Processes, Hillary Katherine Schiltz, Amy V. Van Hecke Mar 2021

Applying The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model Of Marriage To Couples Raising An Autistic Child: A Call For Research On Adaptive Processes, Hillary Katherine Schiltz, Amy V. Van Hecke

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Parents of children on the autism spectrum are particularly susceptible to strain in their romantic relationships due to unique risk factors. While some relationships deteriorate, however, others endure and thrive. The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) Model of Marriage (Karney & Bradbury, 1995; Fig. 1) offers a framework to explain, not only poor marital outcomes, but also the process by which degradation of relationships occurs over time. The VSA Model posits that a combination of internal (within-person) vulnerabilities and external stressors influence relationship quality and, in turn, stability, by affecting couples' abilities to collaborate to adapt to stressors and solve problems …


The Role Of Loneliness As A Mediator Between Autism Features And Mental Health Among Autistic Young Adults, Hillary Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan Wozniak, Angela Haendel, Rachel Stanley, Alexis Arias, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke Feb 2021

The Role Of Loneliness As A Mediator Between Autism Features And Mental Health Among Autistic Young Adults, Hillary Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan Wozniak, Angela Haendel, Rachel Stanley, Alexis Arias, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Autistic adults commonly experience anxiety and depression. These mental health concerns are often tied to social experiences, such that mental well-being can be supported by social connection and deteriorated by loneliness. The mediating role of social and emotional loneliness (i.e. social isolation and lack of emotional attachment, respectively) between autism features and mental health has yet to be empirically tested among autistic adults. Here, 69 autistic young adults completed self-report questionnaires assessing social contact (Friendship Questionnaire), autism features (Autism Quotient), mental health (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Social Phobia Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory), and loneliness (Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for …