Autistic traits in an epidemiological child population and the association with bullying victimization
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Leena Palotie Hall, 101A, Aapistie 5A, 90230 Oulu
Topic of the dissertation
Autistic traits in an epidemiological child population and the association with bullying victimization
Doctoral candidate
Master of Arts (Education) Maria Junttila
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Medicine
Subject of study
Child psychiatry
Opponent
Docent Jari Sinkkonen, University of Turku
Custos
Docent Marja-Leena Mattila, University of Oulu
Autistic traits in primary school aged children and association with bullying victimization
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with difficulties in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory modulation difficulties. ASD represents the severe end of a continuum where autistic traits are continuously distributed in the general population. Autistic traits are a set of personality characteristics reflecting the phenotypic expression of autism. Screening tools like the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) identify autistic traits. ASD increases the risk of bullying victimization. However, there's little data on the associations between autistic traits and bullying victimization.
This thesis explores the association between ASD, autistic traits, and bullying victimization using the ASSQ in an epidemiological sample (n = 4 408), ASD sample (n = 28), and non-ASD sample (n = 4 380) of 8-year-olds. The prevalence of bullying victimization and the association between autistic traits and bullying victimization were studied. Additionally, sensory modulation difficulties and their influence on bullying victimization were examined. Factor analysis elicited interrelated items in the ASSQ.
The ASSQ items linked to loneliness, social isolation, poor cooperation skills, clumsiness, and lack of common sense, as well as tactile, olfactory, auditory, and visual hypersensitivity, were shown to associate with bullying victimization. Victimization increased with the number of autistic traits.
In conclusion, difficulties in social communication are associated with bullying victimization in the general child population, and ASD and a higher number of autistic traits increase the risk for victimization.
This thesis explores the association between ASD, autistic traits, and bullying victimization using the ASSQ in an epidemiological sample (n = 4 408), ASD sample (n = 28), and non-ASD sample (n = 4 380) of 8-year-olds. The prevalence of bullying victimization and the association between autistic traits and bullying victimization were studied. Additionally, sensory modulation difficulties and their influence on bullying victimization were examined. Factor analysis elicited interrelated items in the ASSQ.
The ASSQ items linked to loneliness, social isolation, poor cooperation skills, clumsiness, and lack of common sense, as well as tactile, olfactory, auditory, and visual hypersensitivity, were shown to associate with bullying victimization. Victimization increased with the number of autistic traits.
In conclusion, difficulties in social communication are associated with bullying victimization in the general child population, and ASD and a higher number of autistic traits increase the risk for victimization.
Last updated: 10.1.2025