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The Effect of Sleep–Wake Routines on the Negative Emotional States and Aggressive Behaviors in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the COVID-19 Outbreak

Author

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  • Annalisa Levante

    (Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Serena Petrocchi

    (Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland)

  • Costanza Colombi

    (IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56018 Pisa, Italy)

  • Roberto Keller

    (Adult Autism Center, Mental Health Department, Local Health Unit ASL Città di Torino, 10138 Turin, Italy)

  • Antonio Narzisi

    (IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56018 Pisa, Italy)

  • Gabriele Masi

    (IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56018 Pisa, Italy)

  • Flavia Lecciso

    (Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Laboratory of Applied Psychology, Department of History, Society and Human Studies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

Disruption in routine may be related to experiencing negative emotional states and to aggressive behaviors in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The lockdown because of COVID-19 contributed to the disruption of individuals’ routines, including the sleep–wake cycle. The current study tested a relationship between the adherence to the sleep–wake routine and aggressive behaviors via the mediation role of negative emotional states (i.e., anxiety and anger). Forty-three parents of adults with ASD completed a web-based questionnaire about their life condition during the first lockdown (April–May 2020). Preliminary analyses showed a worsening in the adults’ aggressive behaviors during the lockdown in comparison to before it (Z = −3.130; p = 0.002). In the mediation models, the relationship between the adherence to the sleep–wake routines and aggressive behaviors was significant. The models showed the hypothesized mediated relationships among the adherence to the sleep–wake routines, negative emotional states, and aggressive behaviors (Model 1: F (1, 41) = 10.478, p < 0.001; Model 2: F (1, 41) = 9.826, p = 0.003). The findings confirmed the potential protective role of the adherence to the sleep–wake routines for the emotional and behavioral adjustment of adults with autism. Theoretical and practical contributions of the study were discussed; indeed, our results may inform parent-coaching as well as intervention programs for individuals with ASD given that adequate sleep hygiene may contribute to improvements in internalizing/externalizing behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Annalisa Levante & Serena Petrocchi & Costanza Colombi & Roberto Keller & Antonio Narzisi & Gabriele Masi & Flavia Lecciso, 2022. "The Effect of Sleep–Wake Routines on the Negative Emotional States and Aggressive Behaviors in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) during the COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:4957-:d:797179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Federica Bianco & Annalisa Levante & Serena Petrocchi & Flavia Lecciso & Ilaria Castelli, 2021. "Maternal Psychological Distress and Children’s Internalizing/Externalizing Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role Played by Hypermentalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole Camoni & Silvia Cirio & Claudia Salerno & Araxi Balian & Giulia Bruni & Valeria D’Avola & Maria Grazia Cagetti, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic and Remote Consultations in Children: A Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Annalisa Levante & Serena Petrocchi & Federica Bianco & Ilaria Castelli & Flavia Lecciso, 2023. "Teachers during the COVID-19 Era: The Mediation Role Played by Mentalizing Ability on the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Anxious Trait, and Job Burnout," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, January.

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