ArticleBMC psychiatry2025
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of autistic and non-autistic adults in Eastern Germany.
Article in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundAutistic individuals often experience significant difficulties adapting to even slight changes in their routines. The COVID-19 pandemic created an uncertain situation marked by frequent changes in daily life, though some pressures of everyday life were reduced during this time. The few existing studies on mental health in autistic individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic have identified a link between pandemic-related distress and increases in symptoms of anxiety and depression. The present study aimed to compare the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on daily life and psychopathological symptoms between groups of autistic and non-autistic adults and to determine whether these variables are interrelated. Furthermore, the study examined potential predictors of psychopathological symptoms during the pandemic.
methodsA sample of 86 East German autistic adults aged 18-67 years (21 female, M
resultsRegarding pandemic-related restrictions, the reduction in social contacts and restrictions on freedom of travel were most relevant for both groups while non-autistic adults reported that they were affected more severely compared to autistic adults. Retrospective self-ratings of changes in overall physical and mental health did not differ between the two groups. Consistent with pre-pandemic evidence, autistic adults reported higher sensory sensitivity and greater IoU compared to non-autistic adults. However, sensory exposure due to face coverings affected both groups similarly. Sensory sensitivities and IoU were the most relevant predictors of psychopathological symptoms in both groups, although changes in overall physical health also emerged as a predictor for autistic adults.
conclusionsThe relation between pandemic-related restrictions and the predictors of psychopathological symptoms differed somewhat between groups. Although it is known that autistic individuals show higher levels of sensory sensitivity and IoU in general, autistic adults appeared to be less affected by certain pandemic-related restrictions than anticipated.
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