Cognitive emotion regulation, anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder

Goal: To investigate the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and anxiety and depression in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: One hundred and twenty-one adults with ASD were compared to neurotypical adults, matched on age and gender. Cognitive emotion regulation was measured with the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Anxiety and depression were measured using the Symptom Check List (SCL-90). Results: The ASD group reported more use of the strategy "Other-blame" and less use of "Positive reappraisal" than the control group. A significant relationship was found between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and anxiety and depression in the ASD group. There were no differences found in the strength of the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and anxiety and depression, except for the relationship between "Catastrophizing" and depression, which was more strongly related in neurotypical adults. Conclusion: Adults with ASD do not use less cognitive emotion regulation strategies, but use more "Other-blame" and less "Positive reappraisal". There was no difference between the ASD group and the neurotypical group regarding the strength of the relationship between the cognitive emotion regulation strategies and anxiety and depression. These results encourage the use of cognitive therapy for depression and anxiety in people with ASD. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.