Internalized Symptoms in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Typically Developing Adolescents : Gaining Insight Into Coping Strategies and the Psychological Processes Involved

Introduction: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have more mental health problems than typically developping adolescents (without ASD). Coping strategies are a key concern for adolescents with ASD in managing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Currently, few studies have examined the coping strategies used by adolescents with ASD. The methodological considerations underscore the need for an assessment method tailored to adolescents with ASD. Finally, although current data are still limited, the results suggest that there may be differences between the coping strategies used by adolescents with ASD and typically developing adolescents, thus calling for more in-depth comparative research.

Objectives: This study aims to validate a coping strategies assessment method adapted for adolescents with ASD (1) and to examine coping strategies associated with internalizing symptoms (2)

Population: 252 participants: 84 adolescents with ASD (1), 84 adolescents with autistic traits but no clinical diagnosis of ASD (2), and 84 typically developing adolescents (3). The age range is 12-17 years.

Study design: The study is divided into two parts: a cross-sectional part (T) and a longitudinal part (L).

• The cross-sectional part will include three meetings spread over a period of approximately three months (approximately one meeting per month).
• The longitudinal part will consist of a meeting scheduled one year after the last meeting of the cross-sectional part.