Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Department

Psychology

Sub-Department

College of Arts and Sciences

First Advisor

Jane Roberts

Abstract

Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are at high risk for developing several comorbid disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and anxiety, that can substantially impart their social skills. However, to date, there are no studies that examine complex social skills within boys with FXS and the effects of emerging autism and anxiety symptoms on the development of their social skills. The current study examines social skills at the composite and subdomain level in young boys with FXS in contrast to typically developing (TD) boys and in relation to age, adaptive behavior, anxiety symptoms and autism symptomology. The study consisted of boys with FXS (ages 36 – 171 months) compared to chronologically aged matched typically developing peers. A combination of MANCOVA’s and regression analyses revealed that developmental level in FXS is a main contributor to social skill deficits with high levels of anxiety and autism symptoms as additive risk factors independently, particularly in the areas or responsibility and self-control.

Rights

© 2015, Debra L. Reisinger

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