COVID-19's Impact on the Mental and Psychological Health of People with Autism: A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Elahe Bahramian School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran, Iran.
  • Seyed Abolfazl Mousavi Health Systems Engineering Research Centre, Milad Hospital Tehran, Iran.
  • Mohaddese Baghi Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
  • Arezuo Mansoorzadeh Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36570/jduhs.2023.1.1760

Keywords:

Autistic Spectrum Disorder, COVID-19, Mental Health, Psychology

Abstract

The restrictions on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have had a significant emotional impact on the general population and could lead to high levels of psychological distress. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be more vulnerable in this widespread because of persistent difficulties in social interaction and communication as well as constrained and repetitive patterns of behavior. The goal of this study is to review studies that assess how COVID-19 affects autistic people's psychological and mental health. This study is a narrative review. The subjects included in these studies consisted of individuals with autism, their parents, families and caregivers. The findings revealed that responses to the pandemic varied, with some autistic persons displaying improvements and others demonstrating deterioration in mental health. Variables like biological vulnerability, isolation, and loss of social support, adjustments to household roles and dynamics, and family conflicts all related to reductions in mental health.

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doi:10.1007/s00787-021-01917-0

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Published

2023-02-20

How to Cite

Bahramian, E., Mousavi, S. A., Baghi, M., & Mansoorzadeh, A. (2023). COVID-19’s Impact on the Mental and Psychological Health of People with Autism: A Narrative Review. Journal of the Dow University of Health Sciences (JDUHS), 17(1), 46–54. https://doi.org/10.36570/jduhs.2023.1.1760

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Section

Review Article