Examining cross-cultural differences in autism spectrum disorder: A multinational comparison from Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, and the United States

J L Matson; M Matheis; C O Burns; G Esposito; P Venuti; E Pisula; A Misiak; E Kalyva; V Tsakiris; Y Kamio; M Ishitobi; R L Goldin

doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.10.007

Examining cross-cultural differences in autism spectrum disorder: A multinational comparison from Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, and the United States

Eur Psychiatry. 2017 May:42:70-76. doi: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.10.007. Epub 2017 Feb 16.

Authors

J L Matson¹, M Matheis², C O Burns¹, G Esposito³, P Venuti⁴, E Pisula⁵, A Misiak⁵, E Kalyva⁶, V Tsakiris⁷, Y Kamio⁸, M Ishitobi⁸, R L Goldin¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236, Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, 70803 Louisiana, United States.
² Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 236, Audubon Hall, Baton Rouge, 70803 Louisiana, United States. Electronic address: maya.matheis@gmail.com.
³ Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 31, Corso Bettini, 38068 Rovereto, Trento, Italy; Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 50, Nanyang Avenue, 639798 Singapore, Singapore.
⁴ Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, 31, Corso Bettini, 38068 Rovereto, Trento, Italy.
⁵ Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, 26/28, Krakowskie Przedmieście, 00-927 Warsaw, Poland.
⁶ Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield International Faculty, CITY College, 24, Proxenou Koromila Street, 54622 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁷ Diagnostic and Treatment Center "Learning Through Play", 01 Filellinon Street, 54645 Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁸ Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, National Institute of Mental Health, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1, Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 28212508
DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.10.007

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social and communication impairments as well as restricted, repetitive behavior patterns. Despite the fact that ASD is reported worldwide, very little research exists examining ASD characteristics on a multinational scale. Cross-cultural comparisons are especially important for ASD, since cultural differences may impact the perception of symptoms. Identifying behaviors that are similarly reported as problematic across cultures as well as identifying behaviors in which there is cultural variation could aid in the development and refinement of more universally effective measures. The present study sought to examine similarities and differences in caregiver endorsement of symptom severity through scores on the Baby Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT). The BISCUIT was utilized to examine ASD core symptomology in 250 toddlers diagnosed with ASD from Greece, Italy, Japan, Poland, and the United States. Significant differences in overall ASD symptom severity and endorsement were found between multinational groups. Implications of the results are discussed.

Keywords: Autism; Pediatrics; Social and cross-cultural psychiatry.

MeSH terms

Autism Spectrum Disorder / epidemiology*
Child
Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / epidemiology
Child Welfare / statistics & numerical data*
Child, Preschool
Cross-Cultural Comparison
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Greece
Humans
Impulsive Behavior*
Infant
Italy
Japan
Male
Poland
Severity of Illness Index*
United States