Investigating the influence of individual differences on emotional dysregulation in ADHD and Autism
Project overview
How we think, feel and sense the external world around us and our bodies' internal state influences how we experience emotions. Differences in Autism and in ADHD can make it harder to regulate emotions, increasing the risk of mental ill-health.
We want to understand how traits common in Autism and ADHD, such as differences in sensory processing, coping with uncertainty and understanding bodily signals, could relate to one another. This will help us to introduce new factors into psychological models and to test the hypothesised relationships within research.
Currently, very few adapted mental health treatments exist to help address the increased emotional difficulties experienced by those with ADHD and Autism. By gaining an understanding of how these factors might relate to each other, we aim to help identify and support those most at risk of experiencing difficulties regulating and managing their emotions.
Example papers
- Stark, E., Stacey, J., Mandy, W., Kringelbach, M. L., & Happe, F. (2021). Autistic Cognition: Charting Routes to Anxiety. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 25(7), 931-945.
- South, M., & Rodgers, J. (2017). Sensory, Emotional and Cognitive Contributions to Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11(20), 1495-1504.
- Green, S. A., & Ben-Sasson, A. (2010). Anxiety disorders and sensory over-responsivity in children with autism spectrum disorders: Is there a causal relationship? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 1495-1504.
