My Way of Doing Things
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'My Way of Doing Things: understanding how we feel and what we do' Anxiety and Repetitive and Restricted Behaviours (RRB) in adolescents with ASD
IRAS ID
139863
Contact name
Caroline Joyce
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
This research project aims to further current understanding about the relationship between anxiety and restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRB) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Anxiety is a significant problem for many young people with ASD and a greater understanding of young people's experience of anxiety and the processes involved will help inform development of appropriate interventions.
There is a growing body of literature highlighting an association between anxiety and RRB in young people with ASD, however this relationship is yet to be systematically described in detail and exploration of the factors influencing this association, such as intolerance of uncertainty (IOU) is just beginning. IOU refers to an individual’s negative perception of uncertain situations, resulting in high levels of stress, worry and avoidance.
To date nearly all of the research in this area has relied on parent or professional report. This research will therefore aim to obtain young person self report of anxiety,RRB and IOU. The research has a mixed methodology, which includes collecting questionnaire data from both young people aged 14-18 with ASD and their parents. Semi-structured interviews with young people with ASD will also be completed to gain a detailed and systematic description of how anxiety, RRB and IOU present in every day life.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0101
Date of REC Opinion
2 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion