Psychosocial Correlates of Physical Activity Participation and Screen-Time in Typically Developing Children and Children on the Autism Spectrum

The correlates of physical activity and screen-time among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and how these differ from typically developing (TD) children, remains largely unknown. Method: This study compared psychosocial factors associated with physical activity and screen-time between nine-year old children with ASD (n = 55) and TD children (n = 55). Variables of interest included self-concept, peer relationship problems, prosocial behaviors, and number of, and time spent, with friends. It was hypothesized that psychosocial correlates of health behaviors differ between children with and without ASD. Parents completed questionnaires assessing the child’s physical activity, screen-time, and psychosocial characteristics. Regression analyses indicated that for measures of physical activity – hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), daily physical activity, and sports participation – males (TD and ASD) and TD children were more likely to participate, compared to females (TD and ASD) and children with ASD. There was a significant interaction between ASD diagnosis and bullying for light physical activity (LPA), with TD children who experienced bullying significantly more likely to engage in LPA compared to children with ASD who experienced bullying. For screen-time, a greater number of close friends and a lower parent rating of the child’s level of prosocial behavior were significantly associated with greater hours of screen-time. Interventions aiming to increase physical activity among children with ASD need to take into account the associated psychosocial factors, and how they may differ from TD children.