PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Differences in emotional experience and expression have long been recognized as common in the presentation of autism, yet research examining emotional expression in early childhood is limited, with mixed findings. Understanding emotional reactivity and expression in autism in early life is an essential step towards uncovering the mechanisms of these risks and identifying targets for intervention.
METHODS: The present study examined emotional expression in autistic (N = 17) and non-autistic (N = 20) toddlers (mean age = 25.27; SD = 1.88) during emotion elicitation tasks aimed at eliciting joy, frustration, and unease. Video recorded tasks were coded in ten second intervals for emotional valence and intensity, and the following variables were computed: proportion of time in positive, neutral, and negative affect; maximum intensity of positive and negative affect; and range of affect (i.e., most negative to most positive intensity).
RESULTS: Autistic toddlers spent more time in neutral facial expressions, less time displaying positive affect, and had somewhat less intense positive emotional expression than non-autistic peers. Small differences were apparent in intensity of negative affect expression, while no differences emerged in duration of time spent in negative affect.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize that differences may be more apparent in duration, rather than intensity of emotional expression, and that it may be particularly important to examine periods of \"neutral\" affect in young autistic children. Future research should consider the best ways to understand emotional reactivity in this population considering their unique interests, challenges, and communication styles.
METHODS: The present study examined emotional expression in autistic (N = 17) and non-autistic (N = 20) toddlers (mean age = 25.27; SD = 1.88) during emotion elicitation tasks aimed at eliciting joy, frustration, and unease. Video recorded tasks were coded in ten second intervals for emotional valence and intensity, and the following variables were computed: proportion of time in positive, neutral, and negative affect; maximum intensity of positive and negative affect; and range of affect (i.e., most negative to most positive intensity).
RESULTS: Autistic toddlers spent more time in neutral facial expressions, less time displaying positive affect, and had somewhat less intense positive emotional expression than non-autistic peers. Small differences were apparent in intensity of negative affect expression, while no differences emerged in duration of time spent in negative affect.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings emphasize that differences may be more apparent in duration, rather than intensity of emotional expression, and that it may be particularly important to examine periods of \"neutral\" affect in young autistic children. Future research should consider the best ways to understand emotional reactivity in this population considering their unique interests, challenges, and communication styles.
摘要：
目的：情感体验和表达的差异长期以来被认为在自闭症的表现中很常见，然而，研究儿童早期情绪表达的研究是有限的，结果喜忧参半。了解自闭症早期的情绪反应和表达是揭示这些风险机制和确定干预目标的重要一步。
方法：本研究检查了自闭症（N=17）和非自闭症（N=20）幼儿（平均年龄=25.27；SD=1.88）在情感激发任务中的情感表达，目的是激发喜悦，挫败感,和不安。视频记录的任务以十秒的间隔进行编码，以确定情绪效价和强度，并计算了以下变量：时间比例为正，中性,和负面影响；正面和负面影响的最大强度；和影响范围(即，最消极到最积极的强度)。
结果：自闭症幼儿花更多时间在中性的面部表情上，显示积极影响的时间较少，与非自闭症的同龄人相比，积极的情感表达有所减弱。负面影响表达的强度差异很小，而在负面影响中花费的时间没有差异。
结论：研究结果强调，差异在持续时间上可能更明显，而不是情感表达的强度，检查自闭症儿童的“中性”影响时期可能特别重要。未来的研究应该考虑到他们的独特兴趣，考虑到他们的情绪反应性，考虑到最好的方法。挑战,和沟通风格。
方法：本研究检查了自闭症（N=17）和非自闭症（N=20）幼儿（平均年龄=25.27；SD=1.88）在情感激发任务中的情感表达，目的是激发喜悦，挫败感,和不安。视频记录的任务以十秒的间隔进行编码，以确定情绪效价和强度，并计算了以下变量：时间比例为正，中性,和负面影响；正面和负面影响的最大强度；和影响范围(即，最消极到最积极的强度)。
结果：自闭症幼儿花更多时间在中性的面部表情上，显示积极影响的时间较少，与非自闭症的同龄人相比，积极的情感表达有所减弱。负面影响表达的强度差异很小，而在负面影响中花费的时间没有差异。
结论：研究结果强调，差异在持续时间上可能更明显，而不是情感表达的强度，检查自闭症儿童的“中性”影响时期可能特别重要。未来的研究应该考虑到他们的独特兴趣，考虑到他们的情绪反应性，考虑到最好的方法。挑战,和沟通风格。
