Farkas, K, Pesthy, O, Guttengeber, A, Weigl, S, Veres, A, Szekely, A, Komoroczy, E, Szuromi, B, Janacsek, Karolina ORCID: 0000-0001-7829-8220 , Rethelyi, J. M. and Nemeth, D (2023) Altered interpersonal distance regulation in autism spectrum disorder. PLoS ONE, 18 (3):e0283761. pp. 1-23. ISSN 1932-6203 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283761)

Preview

PDF (Publisher VoR) 41465_JANACSEK_Altered_interpersonal_distance_regulation_in_autism_spectrum_disorder.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Interpersonal distance regulation is an essential element of social communication. Its impairment in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is widely acknowledged among practitioners, but only a handful of studies reported empirical research in real-life settings, focusing mainly on children. Interpersonal distance in adults with ASD and related autonomic functions received less attention. Here, we measured interpersonal distance along with heart rate variability (HRV) in adults with ASD, and tested the modulatory effects of eye-contact and attribution. Twenty-two adults diagnosed with ASD and 21 matched neurotypical controls participated in our study from October 2019 to February 2020. Our experimental design combined the modified version of the stop distance paradigm with HRV measurement controlling for eye contact between the experimenter and the participant to measure interpersonal distance. Still, we did not detect significant modulatory effect of eye contact and attribution. Our results showed a greater preferred distance in ASD. Moreover, we found lower baseline HRV and reduced HRV reactivity in ASD; however, these autonomic measurements could not predict preferred interpersonal distance. Our study highlights the importance of interpersonal space regulation in ASD: it might be considered that people with ASD need individually variable, presumably greater interpersonal distance. In addition, regardless of the distance they may have reduced autonomic regulatory capacity in social situations. Our results could help shape future experiments with sophisticated designs to grasp the complexity and underlying factors of distance regulation in typical and atypical populations.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	autism spectrum disorder; interpersonal distance regulation; heart rate variability; amygdala; communication; eye contact; social interaction
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Thinking and Learning Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2023 10:46
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/41465

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads