¿Es la conducta un síntoma emocional? Papel mediador de la desregulación emocional en las conductas desafiantes de adultos con autismo y discapacidad intelectual

Is behavior an emotional symptom? The mediating role of emotion dysregulation in challenging behaviors of adults with autism and intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Challenging behaviors are very frequent in people with autism (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID). Emotional dysregulation (ED) is associated with the presence of these behaviors. This study seeks to evaluate the involvement of ED in the frequency and severity of self-injury and aggression in this population. Eighty-three adults with ASD and ID participated in the study. To test the effect of ED on the presence of these behaviors, correlation and mediation analyses were performed. A positive association was found between challenging behaviors and ED. Emotional reactivity and dysphoria were significant mediators of the frequency and severity of self-injury and the severity of aggression. It would be interesting for professionals working with this population to receive training on ED to consider these variables in the design of interventions focused on challenging behaviors.