Autism and Self-Esteem: A Systematic Review Quantifying Differences Between Autistic and Non-Autistic Adolescents and Investigating Associations With Mental Health Difficulties.
Poppy Clayton, Katie Lindsay-Webb, Francesca Happé et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined self-esteem in autistic adolescents aged 10–19 years, comparing levels with non-autistic peers and assessing associations with mental health symptoms. It included 30 studies; 15 had a non-autistic comparison group and 16 measured both self-esteem and mental health. Autistic adolescents had lower self-esteem than non-autistic adolescents, with a moderate weighted pooled effect size (g = -0.47). Among autistic adolescents, lower self-esteem was associated with greater depressive symptomatology (r = -.59).
Key findings
- Autistic adolescents had lower self-esteem than non-autistic adolescents, with a moderate weighted pooled effect size (g = -0.47).
- Group differences were larger with the Self-Perception Profile (g = -0.55) than with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (g = -0.33).
- Lower self-esteem was associated with greater depressive symptomatology in autistic adolescents (r = -.59).
Why it matters
The findings identify lower self-esteem as a feature associated with autism in adolescence and link it to depressive symptoms. This may help clinicians and researchers consider self-esteem when assessing mental health in autistic young people, while recognising that the review establishes an association rather than showing that low self-esteem causes depression or that intervention will improve outcomes.
What to keep in mind
The included studies mainly involved male participants and used varied measures of self-esteem and mental health, limiting understanding across a diverse range of autistic adolescents.