Neuroticism is associated with increased stress reactivity. In autism spectrum disorders (ASD), emotional stress reactivity is increased and there is some evidence for an increased negative affect (NA) when with less familiar people. The aim of this study was to compare adults with ASD and controls on levels of neuroticism and on interactions between neuroticism and appraised stress or social context in models of NA. This is a cross-sectional observational study comprising a group of 50 adults with ASD and 51 controls. Experience sampling method (ESM) reports were collected for 10 days to measure daily life stress, mood, and social context. Multilevel regression analyses revealed significantly higher neuroticism levels in ASD than in controls. Adults with ASD who scored high on neuroticism showed a significantly stronger association between activity/social stress and NA (i.e., higher stress reactivity) than those with low scores. Furthermore, the association between neuroticism and NA was stronger when adults with ASD were with less familiar people compared with being alone or with familiar people. No consistent corresponding significant interactions were found in the control group. In conclusion, in ASD, neuroticism moderates the association between appraised stress and NA as well as the association between social context and NA.

神经质与增加的压力反应有关。在自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 中，情绪压力反应性增加，并且有一些证据表明，当与不太熟悉的人相处时，负面影响 (NA) 会增加。本研究的目的是比较患有 ASD 的成年人和对照组的神经质水平以及神经质与 NA 模型中评估的压力或社会背景之间的相互作用。这是一项横断面观察研究，包括 50 名患有 ASD 的成年人和 51 名对照组。收集了 10 天的经验抽样方法 (ESM) 报告，以测量日常生活压力、情绪和社会背景。多级回归分析显示 ASD 的神经质水平显着高于对照组。在神经质方面得分高的 ASD 成年人与得分低的人相比，活动/社会压力与 NA（即更高的压力反应）之间的关联显着更强。此外，与单独或与熟悉的人相比，当患有 ASD 的成年人与不太熟悉的人相比时，神经质和 NA 之间的关联更强。在对照组中没有发现一致的相应显着相互作用。总之，在 ASD 中，神经质调节了评估压力与 NA 之间的关联以及社会背景与 NA 之间的关联。在对照组中没有发现一致的相应显着相互作用。总之，在 ASD 中，神经质调节了评估压力与 NA 之间的关联以及社会背景与 NA 之间的关联。在对照组中没有发现一致的相应显着相互作用。总之，在 ASD 中，神经质调节了评估压力与 NA 之间的关联以及社会背景与 NA 之间的关联。