Comparing Depression, Anxiety, and Healthy Habits In Young Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mild Neurodevelopmental Disorders

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Mentored

Abstract

Piece it Together is a comprehensive wellness program for the youth and young adults with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Each individual with ASD has different characteristics and are challenged in many different areas and forms, even if they behave normally in other areas. Some have concerns about anxiety and depression and some have poor nutrition habits. For my project, I tested two hypotheses. For the first, I compared the levels of depression and anxiety for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and mild neurodevelopmental disorders to individuals without ASD or mild neurodevelopmental disorders with the patient health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) depression and anxiety screen. My second hypothesis gave me the opportunity to explore healthy habits using a screening test known as the 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire. To test these two hypotheses, we recruited two groups, each with thirteen individuals. The experimental group consisted of participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders and the other group was a control group without Autism Spectrum Disorder or any neurodevelopmental disorders. Both groups were administered the same forms, the PHQ-4 depression and anxiety screen and the 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire. The results were recorded onto an excel spreadsheet and the mean between the two groups were compared and analyzed for further discussion. The results of the experiment were that the experimental group had higher levels of depression and anxiety and both groups had no significant difference in healthy habits.

Location

Furman Hall 201

Start Date

3-28-2020 12:15 PM

Presentation Format

Oral Only

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 28th, 12:15 PM

Comparing Depression, Anxiety, and Healthy Habits In Young Adults With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder and Mild Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Furman Hall 201

Piece it Together is a comprehensive wellness program for the youth and young adults with mild Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Each individual with ASD has different characteristics and are challenged in many different areas and forms, even if they behave normally in other areas. Some have concerns about anxiety and depression and some have poor nutrition habits. For my project, I tested two hypotheses. For the first, I compared the levels of depression and anxiety for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and mild neurodevelopmental disorders to individuals without ASD or mild neurodevelopmental disorders with the patient health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) depression and anxiety screen. My second hypothesis gave me the opportunity to explore healthy habits using a screening test known as the 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire. To test these two hypotheses, we recruited two groups, each with thirteen individuals. The experimental group consisted of participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder and neurodevelopmental disorders and the other group was a control group without Autism Spectrum Disorder or any neurodevelopmental disorders. Both groups were administered the same forms, the PHQ-4 depression and anxiety screen and the 5210 Healthy Habits Questionnaire. The results were recorded onto an excel spreadsheet and the mean between the two groups were compared and analyzed for further discussion. The results of the experiment were that the experimental group had higher levels of depression and anxiety and both groups had no significant difference in healthy habits.