Psychopathologies mediate the link between autism spectrum disorder and bullying involvement: A follow-up study

Mei-Ni Hsiao; Yueh-Ming Tai; Yu-Yu Wu; Wen-Che Tsai; Yen-Nan Chiu; Susan Shur-Fen Gau

doi:10.1016/j.jfma.2021.12.030

Psychopathologies mediate the link between autism spectrum disorder and bullying involvement: A follow-up study

J Formos Med Assoc. 2022 Sep;121(9):1739-1747. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.12.030. Epub 2022 Jan 29.

Authors

Mei-Ni Hsiao¹, Yueh-Ming Tai², Yu-Yu Wu³, Wen-Che Tsai⁴, Yen-Nan Chiu⁴, Susan Shur-Fen Gau⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital Beitou Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
³ Yu-Ning Clinic, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: gaushufe@ntu.edu.tw.

PMID: 35094913
DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2021.12.030

Abstract

Background/purpose: Youths with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a high risk of involvement in school bully. The study investigated whether comorbid psychopathologies mediated the link between ASD and bullying involvement.

Methods: We assessed 353 youths (mean age, 11.8 ± 3.1 years), including 121 youths with ASD and 232 typically developing (TD) controls, using semi-structured diagnostic interviews on ASD and other psychiatric conditions. Follow-up assessments took place 2-5 years (37.6 ± 15 months) later. Meanwhile, their parents reported on the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents about bullying involvement statuses. We identified significant mediators by simple mediation models, followed by multiple mediation models to scrutinize the mediation effects of selected mediators.

Results: The results showed a sevenfold increased risk of bullying involvement among youths with ASD compared with TD controls at follow-up. In general, psychopathologies mediated the link between ASD and bullying involvement, even independent of age and sex. Specifically, we found mediating effects of social problems on victimization-only and aggressive behaviors on victimization-perpetration.

Conclusion: Our findings strongly suggest the link between ASD and later bullying involvement is mediated by pre-existing comorbid psychiatric conditions, besides the direct effect of ASD on bullying victimization. Hence, early identification and intervention of these psychopathologies are highly suggested.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Bullying; Mediation; Psychopathology; Victimization.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Bullying*
Child
Crime Victims*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Psychopathology