Objectives The present research used a continuous measurement approach to extend the evidence that autism is associated with significant struggles in physical health as well as mental health and psychological well-being. Methods The relationship of autism characteristics to physical health and psychological well-being was examined in 294 individuals (M age = 70.51, SD age = 8.17, age range = 53–96). The sample is 57.4% female (n = 166) and primarily White (n = 270, 96.8%). The majority of the participants did not identify as having an autism diagnosis (n = 284, 96.6%). Participants completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Scale alongside self-report measures of physical health, mental health, and psychological well-being. Results Autism characteristics correlated strongly with challenges in social engagement due to poor health (r = 0.46), depression (r = 0.39) and anxiety (r = 0.47), limitations due to poor mental health (r = 0.41), satisfaction with life (r = −0.47), and psychological well-being (r = −0.62). Discussion These findings help shed light on the challenges experienced by individuals aging with elevated autism characteristics. The limitations of this study and prior work on this topic help identify important avenues for future research in this area.

中文翻译：

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老年人的自闭症特征和自我报告的健康状况

目标 本研究使用连续测量方法来扩展自闭症与身体健康以及心理健康和心理健康方面的重大斗争相关的证据。方法 对 294 名个体（M 年龄 = 70.51，SD 年龄 = 8.17，年龄范围 = 53-96）进行自闭症特征与身体健康和心理健康的关系。样本为 57.4% 的女性 (n = 166)，主要是白人 (n = 270, 96.8%)。大多数参与者没有被诊断为自闭症（n = 284, 96.6%）。参与者完成了自闭症谱商量表以及对身体健康、心理健康和心理健康的自我报告测量。结果 自闭症特征与健康状况不佳导致的社会参与挑战密切相关（r = 0.46），抑郁症 (r = 0.39) 和焦虑症 (r = 0.47)、心理健康不佳造成的限制 (r = 0.41)、生活满意度 (r = -0.47) 和心理健康 (r = -0.62)。讨论 这些研究结果有助于阐明老年自闭症特征升高的个体所面临的挑战。本研究的局限性和该主题的先前工作有助于确定该领域未来研究的重要途径。