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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

03-06-2021 | Original Paper

Empathy and Anxiety in Young Girls with Fragile X Syndrome

Auteurs: Jonas G. Miller, Kristi L. Bartholomay, Cindy H. Lee, Jennifer L. Bruno, Amy A. Lightbody, Allan L. Reiss

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 5/2022

Abstract

We tested whether empathy is impaired and associated with anxiety in girls with fragile X syndrome (FXS). We measured parent-reported empathy and self-reported anxiety in young girls with FXS and in a developmentally-matched comparison group. Girls with FXS received higher parent-reported scores on cognitive and affective empathy but also self-reported more severe anxiety symptoms, particularly separation anxiety and phobia symptoms, than girls in the comparison group. Girls with FXS who received higher cognitive empathy scores, however, appeared buffered against risk for separation anxiety and phobia symptoms. Girls with FXS experience elevated empathy and anxiety relative to their developmentally-matched peers. Higher cognitive empathy in girls with FXS may indicate resilience against specific forms of anxiety that are commonly observed in FXS.

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Titel: Empathy and Anxiety in Young Girls with Fragile X Syndrome
Auteurs: Jonas G. Miller
Kristi L. Bartholomay
Cindy H. Lee
Jennifer L. Bruno
Amy A. Lightbody
Allan L. Reiss
Publicatiedatum: 03-06-2021
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 5/2022
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05105-6

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Empathy and Anxiety in Young Girls with Fragile X Syndrome

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Children with ASD and Communication Regression: Examining Pre-Loss Skills and Later Language Outcomes Through the Preschool Years

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