The Association Between Autistic Traits, Psychosocial Maladjustment, and Motor Abilities in Elementary and Junior High School Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits and psychosocial maladjustment related to friendships and depression, mediated by motor abilities, among elementary and junior high school students. The participants comprised 5,084 general elementary and junior high school students and their parents. Path analysis revealed that the more ASD traits the participants suffered, the more motor ability difficulties they experienced. In addition, 26% of the association between ASD traits and depression in elementary school, and 25% and 16% of the association between ASD traits and friendship problems in elementary and junior high school, respectively were indirect effects mediated by motor abilities. No significant difference in the effect of gender and grade on these associations was found. One may deduce that motor abilities make a significant contribution to psychosocial maladjustment regardless of grade and gender.