The present study investigated self-referential processing and mentalization in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), concepts essential for social cognition. Previous studies suggest reductions in self-referential bias and in the ability to mentalize one’s own thoughts in individuals with ASD, but with inconsistent results. This study sought to clarify these inconsistencies by directly comparing multiple levels of self-referential processing and mentalization in the same sample of adolescents with and without ASD.
Methods
Fifty-six adolescents participated, 30 diagnosed with ASD and 26 neurotypical, matched by age and IQ. Data collection included computational tasks to measure first-order self-referential bias (visual search task), second-order (trait adjective task), and self-referential mentalizing (feeling of knowing task), as well as a measure of mentalizing directed toward others (Frith-Happé animation task). Parental questionnaires (SRS-2 and SCQ) assessed participants’ autistic traits.
Results
The results showed:
First- and second-order self-referential biases intact in adolescents with ASD, with performance similar to the neurotypical group in all corresponding tasks.
Preserved capacity for self-referential mentalization in the group with ASD, evidenced by accuracy in the feeling of knowing task.
Significant reduction in the ability to mentalize related to third parties (Theory of Mind condition in the Frith-Happé animation task) in the ASD group.
Discussion
The findings refute hypotheses of widespread impairment in self-referential processing in individuals with ASD. Instead, they point to specific deficits in other-oriented mentalizing, while self-related processing remains intact at multiple levels. These results have important implications for understanding the cognitive underpinnings of ASD and suggest that developing interventions focused on mentalizing skills may be a promising approach to improving social cognition in these individuals.
Reference :
NIJHOF, Annabel D.; AMODEO, Letizia; WILLIAMS, David M.; WIERSEMA, Jan R. Self-bias and self-related mentalizing are unchanged in adolescents with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, [S. l.], v. 55, p. 1-27, Jan. 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06705-8.
