Examining Variables Associated with Successful Treatment Outcomes of Autistic Youth Enrolled in PEERS ©
Date
2021-09
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Abstract
The present study sought to examine how certain variables of autistic youth who completed a formal social intervention program (PEERS) predicted social skill improvement post intervention. Specifically, this research aimed to determine if age, gender, emotional intelligence (EI), intellectual ability, and/or social cognition would predict social skill outcomes. Using extant data from parent and self-report batteries, change scores and multiple regressions were employed to examine which variables accounted for significant social skill improvement. Age, gender, EI, and social cognition did not predict change; however, higher intellectual ability paired with higher verbal ability and lower perceptual reasoning significantly predicted social skill outcomes for the self-report group. These findings suggest that autistic youth with specific cognitive profiles may be more successful in PEERS. This research also exemplifies the heterogeneous nature of autism symptomology and the continued need for research examining social skill interventions. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
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Keywords
Autism, PEERS, Social Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Social Cognition, Intelligence
Citation
McLeod, J. (2021). Examining variables associated with successful treatment outcomes of autistic youth enrolled in PEERS © (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.