Relationship between temperament, character and the autistic trait in parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have revealed distinct features of autism, with higher harm avoidance and lower reward dependence and novelty seeking. It is assumed that high harm avoidance, and low novelty seeking, reward dependence, cooperativeness, and self-directedness are related with the broad autism phenotype, as seen in autistic individuals.


METHOD
This study examined the association between the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), in parents of children with ASD.


RESULT
There was significant correlation between total AQ and total harm avoidance, cooperativeness, and self-directedness (p < 0.05). In the stepwise analysis, self-directedness and education emerged significantly (F(2,67) = 19.71, p < .005). This model modestly explained 35% of variance (Adjusted R(2) = .350).


CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that self-directedness may be an autistic trait.
['Kadak|Muhammed Tayyib|MT|', 'Demirel|Ömer Faruk|ÖF|', 'Gökalp|Burcu|B|', 'Erdoğdu|Zeynep|Z|', 'Demirel|Ayşegül|A|']
D000328:Adult D020817:Asperger Syndrome D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder D001321:Autistic Disorder D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010290:Parents D010552:Personality Assessment D013694:Temperament D055815:Young Adult
parent autism broad autism phenotype Temperament and character