Date of Conferral

7-8-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Leslie Barnes-Young

Abstract

Depression is a prevalent mental health concern among emerging adults, particularly within college populations where academic, social, and developmental stressors are heightened. Autistic traits are increasingly understood as dimensional characteristics that exist across both clinical and non-clinical populations, yet their relationship to depressive symptoms in college-aged adults remains insufficiently understood. The purpose of this quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was to examine the relationship between self-reported autistic traits and depressive symptoms among non-clinical adults aged 18 to 25. The study was grounded in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression and the diathesis–stress model, which posit that cognitive vulnerabilities interact with environmental stressors to influence depressive outcomes. Data were collected from 125 participants using an anonymous online survey administered through Prolific and Qualtrics. Autistic traits were measured using the Autism Spectrum Quotient–50, and depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire–9. A Pearson product–moment correlation revealed a statistically significant moderate positive relationship between autistic traits and depressive symptoms (r = .399, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that autistic trait domains explained 19.9% of the variance in depressive symptoms, with social skill and attention to detail emerging as significant predictors. These findings suggest that subclinical autistic traits are associated with depressive symptom severity in emerging adults. Implications include the need for early screening, targeted interventions, and increased awareness of neurodiversity to promote positive social change.

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