Autism Spectrum Traits in Adults Affect Mental Health Status via Early Maladaptive Schemas

EMSs (early maladaptive schemas) may influence general health status and the development and maintenance of some psychiatric disorders. This study investigated whether early maladaptive schemas act as a mediator in the relationship between autistic traits and general health status in non-clinical adults. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was used. The AQ (Autism-Spectrum Quotient), YSQ (Young Schema Questionnaire), and GHQ (General Health Questionnaire) were administered to a non-clinical sample of 342 university students (N = 342,238 women and 112 men; mean age = 21.36 years, SD = 5.17). We found a significant relationship between autism spectrum traits and mental health, completely mediated by EMSs. Thus, higher autism spectrum trait scores predicted higher EMSs scores, which in turn predicted poorer mental health. Early maladaptive schemas appear to account for the mental health problems suffered by adults with autism spectrum traits. There are no additional data available.