Traumatic life experiences and post‐traumatic stress symptoms in middle‐aged and older adults with and without autistic traits

• Published in: International journal of geriatric psychiatry 2022-02, Vol.37 (2), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Stewart, Gavin R., Corbett, Anne, Ballard, Clive, Creese, Byron, Aarsland, Dag, Hampshire, Adam, Charlton, Rebecca A., Happé, Francesca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; ageing; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; ASD; Autistic Disorder; autistic traits; gerontautism; Humans; Life Change Events; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; mental health; Middle Aged; older adults; PTSD; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; trauma
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.5669

Objectives Research with younger adults has begun to explore associations between autism/autistic traits and vulnerability to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Large scale studies and/or examination of age‐effects have not been conducted. Methods Adults aged 50 years+ from the PROTECT study (n = 20,220) completed items about current and childhood socio‐communicative difficulties characteristic of autism. Approximately 1% (n = 251) endorsed high autistic traits, henceforth the Autism Spectrum Traits (AST) group. Differences between the AST and an age—and sex‐matched “Comparison Older Adults” (COA; n = 9179) group were explored for lifetime traumatic experiences and current symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Results Almost 30% of the AST group, compared to less than 8% of the COA, reported severe trauma in childhood/adulthood, including emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Elevated current PTSD symptoms were reported by AST compared to COA. An interaction was observed between autistic traits and trauma severity; the effect of level of trauma on PTSD symptoms was significantly greater for AST versus COA participants. This interaction remained significant when controlling for current depression and anxiety symptoms. Conclusions The findings suggest that high autistic traits may increase the likelihood of experiencing trauma across the lifespan, and the impact of severe trauma on PTSD symptoms. Older adults with high (vs. low) autistic traits may be at greater risk of experiencing PTSD symptoms in latter life. Future research should test whether the pattern of results is similar for diagnosed autistic adults. Key points Using data from PROTECT, a large healthy ageing cohort, approximately 30% of middle‐aged and older adults with high autistic traits reported severe trauma in childhood/adulthood compared to less than 8% of a low autistic trait comparison group Middle‐aged and older adults with high autistic traits also reported elevated current PTSD symptoms when compared to the low autistic trait comparison group An interaction was observed between autistic traits and trauma severity; the effect of level of trauma on PTSD symptoms was significantly greater for those with high autistic traits vs. low autistic traits Middle‐aged and older adults with high autistic traits—especially those who have experienced severe trauma ‐ may need additional support to mitigate this vulnerability to poor mental health later in life