The Association between Self-Rated Social Anxiety, Social Functioning, and Eating Disturbances in Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

<p>Eating Disturbances (ED) are common in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and may be influenced by Social Functioning and Social Anxiety, but no report has been made of the relative associations between these factors. Fifty-three girls with ASD aged (<i>M</i> age = 9.6 yr, range = 6 yr to 14 yr) rated their Social Anxiety and their ED, and their mothers provided information on the girls' Social Awareness, -Cognition, and -Communication. The girls' self-rated Social Anxiety was significantly associated with their self-ratings of their ED, but mothers' ratings of the girls' Social Functioning was not significantly correlated with ED. The underlying factors involved in these relationships appeared to be related to restricted behaviour patterns and extreme anxiety regarding social interactions. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.</p>