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Autism Spectrum Disorders and Self-reports: Testing Validity and Reliability Using the NEO-PI-R

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Abstract

Although self-reported measures are frequently used to assess adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), the validity of self-reports is under-researched in ASD. The core symptoms of ASD may negatively affect the psychometric properties of self-reported measures. The aim of the present study was to test the validity and reliability of self-reported data using the NEO personality inventory-revised (NEO-PI-R). Forty-eight adults with ASD and 53 controls completed the NEO-PI-R and a psychiatric interview. Results indicate satisfactory internal consistency of the NEO-PI-R, a satisfactory factor structure, predicted correlations with clinician ratings in the ASD group, and predicted differences in personality between the ASD group and controls. In conclusion, the present results support the use of self-reported measures when assessing adults with ASD .

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Acknowledgments

The authors want to express their gratitude towards all participants who agreed to sign up for the study and to Dr. Sabina Bonde who assisted in some of the assessments. Technical support was provided by Christina Arlinde and Ann Lindgren. This study was supported by the St Göran Foundation, The Swedish Society of Medicine and the Thuring Foundation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of Interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Eva Hesselmark, Jonna M. Eriksson & Susanne Bejerot

  2. Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Joakim Westerlund

  3. Norra Stockholm Psykiatri/St Görans Sjukhus, Patientvägen 2, 3tr, 11281, Stockholm, Sweden

    Eva Hesselmark & Susanne Bejerot

Authors
  1. Eva Hesselmark
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  2. Jonna M. Eriksson
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  3. Joakim Westerlund
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  4. Susanne Bejerot
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Correspondence to Eva Hesselmark.

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Hesselmark, E., Eriksson, J.M., Westerlund, J. et al. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Self-reports: Testing Validity and Reliability Using the NEO-PI-R. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1156–1166 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2275-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2275-7

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