Leiden University Student Repository

Jong, Maxime de (2013)

De relatie tussen de Theory of Mind en sociale angst bij kinderen met en zonder autismespectrumstoornissen

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

Social anxiety occurs in 7% of the population and has a high rate of comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The present study examined the relation between social anxiety and the theory of mind (TOM) in a population of children with and without ASD. This research hypothesized that children with a more developed TOM experience more social fear. Participants were 59 children (M= 11.7 years, SD=2.1 years) with an ASD and 86 children (M=10.6 years, SD=1.1 years) without an ASD. In total 145 participants made the Social Cognitive Skills Test for measurement of Theory of Mind and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children for the measurement of social anxiety. Contrary to the expected, children without ASD with a better developed TOM experience less social anxiety (r (85) = -.26, p <.05). No significant findings were observed between social anxiety, TOM and children with ASD (r (26) = -.18, p = .371). When controlling for age and gender, there are no differences between children...Show moreSocial anxiety occurs in 7% of the population and has a high rate of comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The present study examined the relation between social anxiety and the theory of mind (TOM) in a population of children with and without ASD. This research hypothesized that children with a more developed TOM experience more social fear. Participants were 59 children (M= 11.7 years, SD=2.1 years) with an ASD and 86 children (M=10.6 years, SD=1.1 years) without an ASD. In total 145 participants made the Social Cognitive Skills Test for measurement of Theory of Mind and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children for the measurement of social anxiety. Contrary to the expected, children without ASD with a better developed TOM experience less social anxiety (r (85) = -.26, p <.05). No significant findings were observed between social anxiety, TOM and children with ASD (r (26) = -.18, p = .371). When controlling for age and gender, there are no differences between children with or without ASD on the TOM (F (1, 102) = 2.54, p = .11, η2 =.024). Overall, girls (M =130.6 en SD = 19.2) and children older than eleven years (M=132.6, SD=16.5) have a better developed TOM than boys and younger children. The results from this study can contribute to the knowledge for treatments that are effective for children with ASD, children in general and possibly for children with low-functioning autism in particular. Recommendations for future research are to research the differences between low-functioning and high-functioning autism in the relation between social anxiety and TOM.Show less

autismespectrumstoornissen

sociale angst

Theory of Mind

Author

Jong, Maxime de

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

MA child and education studies

Supervisors

Zantinge, Gemma

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl