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Brief Report: Effects of Sensory Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty on Anxiety in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

This study examined the relations between anxiety and individual characteristics of sensory sensitivity (SS) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in mothers of children with ASD. The mothers of 50 children completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale and the IU Scale. Anxiety was associated with both SS and IU and IU was also associated with SS. Mediation analyses showed direct effects between anxiety and both IU and SS but a significant indirect effect was found only in the model in which IU mediated between SS. This is the first study to characterize the nature of the IU and SS interrelation in predicting levels of anxiety.

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Acknowledgments

We greatly appreciate the support and time given by the parents who were involved in the research.

Author contribution

Dr. Uljarević conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the initial analysis, drafted the initial manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Dr. Carrington contributed to the analysis, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Dr. Leekam contributed to the conceptualization of the study, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wales Autism Research Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3A, Wales, UK

    Mirko Uljarević, Sarah Carrington & Susan Leekam

  2. Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, Autism CRC, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia

    Mirko Uljarević

  3. School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK

    Sarah Carrington

Authors
  1. Mirko Uljarević
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  2. Sarah Carrington
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  3. Susan Leekam
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Correspondence to Mirko Uljarević.

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Uljarević, M., Carrington, S. & Leekam, S. Brief Report: Effects of Sensory Sensitivity and Intolerance of Uncertainty on Anxiety in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 315–319 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2557-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2557-8

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