Research project: Optimising Therapy for Neurodivergent Adults: Reasonable Adjustments and Passions/Interests and their interplay in therapy and quality of life.
https://uwe.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cwN3URdZZh6Ykgm
This study has been given ethical approval (UWE REC REF No: CHSS.23.12.080). You can contact Dr Nahory, to arrange a suitable time to discuss any questions you might have, email: [email protected]
Participant Information Sheet - Please share the link and QR code with your friends and people you think may be interested in participating.
If you have any concerns related to your participation in this study, please direct them to the Research Ethics Committee, via email: [email protected]
A systematic review of studies on relationships between restricted repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests and mental health conditions in autistic people without intellectual disability
Please see our research presentation at INSAR 2023 Stockholm, Sweden
Previous research - Understanding relationships between restricted repetitive behaviours and mental health in adults with autism
Participate
This study has finish collecting information. However, if you are interested in future research, please contact us [email protected]
Who am I?
My name is Nahory and this study is part of my Doctorate research project in the Department for Health at the University of Bath. I am conducting this study to understand better ‘Restricted Repetitive Behaviours’ in adults with autism.
What is this study about?
This study is interested in understanding better Restricted Repetitive Behaviours (RRBs) in adults with autism. Previous research on RRBs seems to differ, some studies report RRBs as the source of mood disorders. However, other studies report RRBs as a natural strategy used by people with autism to lower the severity of such mood disorders, thus improving functioning (Mercier, 2000, Zarafshan et al., 2017; Lin, 2018 ; Zimmerman et al., 2018; Kapp et al., 2019).
Therefore, this study aims to separate RRBs into two sub-domains 1) repetitive movements and insistence on sameness or routines, and 2) intense interests, in order to get a better understanding and find out which of these elements may explain better the differences on mood disorders in adults with autism.
Background/Hypothesis
This study aims to explore and understand better Restricted Repetitive Behaviours (RRBs) in adults with autism. RRBs include repetitive sensory and motor behaviours, insistence on sameness or routines, and the presence of intense interests (APA, 2013). These behaviours are present in people with autism, but there is little known about RRBs in the adult population and the relationship between these behaviours and mood conditions.
Moreover, there seems to be a divide, where previous literature suggests that repetitive behaviours often impair functioning in children with autism, but sometimes these same activities are used as rewards (Zarafshan et al., 2017; Lin, 2018). Other studies suggest that limiting the access to interests and interrupting repetitive behaviours can often trigger anxiety and behaviours that challenge (Turner-Brown et al., 2011; Rattaz, 2018).
However, adults with autism have reported that intense interests and repetitive behaviours can prompt functioning and self-regulation to support well-being (Mercier, 2000; Kapp et al., 2019). Thus, there seems to be a need to understand RRBs better, and a need to focus more on intellectually able adults with autism (Zimmerman et al., 2018).
Useful readings
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, DC: London, England: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Hwang, Y.I.J., Arnold, S., Srasuebkul, P., & Trollor, J. (2019). Understanding anxiety in adults on the autism spectrum: An investigation of its relationship with intolerance of uncertainty, sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviours. Autism: the international journal of research and practice, pp. 1-12.
Jenkinson, R., Milne, E., & Thompson, A. (2020). The relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety in autism: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Autism, 24(8), 1933-1944.
Joyce, C., Honey, E., Leekam, S.R., Barrett, S.L., & Rodgers, J. (2017). Anxiety, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Restricted and Repetitive Behaviour: Insights Directly from Young People with ASD. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 47(12), pp. 3789-3802.
Kapp, S.K., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). ‘People should be allowed to do what they like’: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming. Autism, 23(7), pp. 1782-1792.
Mercier, C. (2000). A psychosocial study on restricted interests in high-functioning persons with pervasive developmental disorders. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 4(4), pp. 406-426.
Wigham, S., Rodgers, J., & South, M. (2015). The interplay between sensory processing abnormalities, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45, 943-952. doi:10.1007/
s10803-014-2248-x
Zimmerman, D. (2018). High-functioning autism spectrum disorder in adulthood: A systematic review of factors related to psychosocial outcomes. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 43(1), pp. 2-20.
Useful support contacts
UK: Samaritans (UK) - 116 123 email: [email protected]
UK: National Autistic Society (UK) - 0808 800 4104
UK: Search online for your local GP surgery (UK)
UK: SHOUT If you are struggling to cope, text SHOUT to 85258, for free 24/7 crisis line.
US and Canada: text HOME to 741741, for free 24/7 crisis counselling.
New Zealand: Free call or text 1737 to talk with a trained counsellor 24/7.
New Zealand: Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357 for counselling and support.
Australia: Beyond Blue Support Service: 1300 22 4536
Australia: Counselling Online, Tel.: (02) 6207 9977
You can also find some self-help materials:
Autism advice and guidance-mental health
NTW NHS self-help guides
DPT NHS self-help guides
NHS stress, anxiety, and depression self-help therapies
NHS inform self-help guides
Mind-Mental Health information