Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a global crisis that has affected the emotional health of both the general and the clinical population.

Method

The present study aimed to analyze the differences between the emotional states of a group of individuals with ASD and a neurotypical group both during and after the COVID-19 confinement. The study also examined the changes in autistic symptoms between a group of individuals with ASD who were confined during the COVID-19 pandemic and another group of individuals with ASD who were studied prior to the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Results

Higher levels of aggression, irritability, hyperactivity and impulsivity, lack of attention and anxiety, among other symptoms, were found in individuals with ASD during confinement when compared to healthy controls (p < .05; p < .01). Higher levels of repetitive, restrictive, and stereotyped behaviors were also found in pandemic-era ASD individuals when compared to the group of individuals with ASD who were assessed prior to the pandemic (p < .01).

Conclusions

the confinement is related to an increase in symptomatology and dysfunctional behaviours characteristic of ASD, and therefore it is necessary to implement actions that help to reduce this impact now, as well as in future crisis events.

中文翻译：

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由于 COVID-19 大流行，坐月子前和坐月子期间情绪状态和自闭症症状的差异

背景

COVID-19 大流行引发了一场全球危机，影响了普通人群和临床人群的情绪健康。

方法

本研究旨在分析在 COVID-19 禁闭期间和之后，一组患有 ASD 的个体和神经正常组的情绪状态之间的差异。该研究还检查了一组在 COVID-19 大流行期间受到限制的 ASD 患者与另一组在 COVID-19 大流行之前接受研究的 ASD 患者之间自闭症症状的变化。

结果

与健康对照组相比，患有 ASD 的个体在隔离期间表现出更高水平的攻击性、易怒、多动和冲动、注意力不集中和焦虑等症状（p < .05；p < .01）。与大流行之前接受评估的 ASD 个体组相比，在大流行时期的 ASD 个体中也发现了更高水平的重复、限制和刻板行为 ( p < .01)。

结论

隔离与 ASD 症状和功能失调行为特征的增加有关，因此有必要采取行动帮助减少现在以及未来危机事件中的这种影响。