The Prevalence and Psychopathological Correlates of Sibling Bullying in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

Using data from a prospective population based study, the prevalence and psychopathological correlates of sibling bullying in children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were estimated. There were 475 children with ASD and 13,702 children without ASD aged 11 years. Children with ASD were more likely to be bullied by their siblings compared to those without ASD. They were also more likely than those without ASD to both bully and be bullied by their siblings, which was associated with lower prosocial skills as well as more internalizing and externalizing problems compared to those not involved in any sibling bullying. Interventions to improve social and emotional outcomes in children with ASD should focus on both the affected and the unaffected sibling

Elderly with Autism: Executive Functions and Memory

Cognitive autism research is mainly focusing on children and young adults even though we know that autism is a life-long disorder and that healthy aging already has a strong impact on cognitive functioning. We compared the neuropsychological profile of 23 individuals with autism and 23 healthy controls (age range 51–83 years). Deficits were observed in attention, working memory, and fluency. Aging had a smaller impact on fluency in the high functioning autism (HFA) group than in the control group, while aging had a more profound effect on visual memory performance in the HFA group. Hence, we provide novel evidence that elderly with HFA have subtle neuropsychological deficits and that the developmental trajectories differ between elderly with and without HFA in particular cognitive domains

Differential outcomes of adult education on adult learners' increase in social inclusion

To date a significant share of the European population can be considered at risk of social exclusion. It has been argued that adult education programmes are a powerful tool to support vulnerable adults increasing their social inclusion. This study aims to answer the question if and which subgroups of vulnerable adults experience an increase in social inclusion after joining adult education programmes. The results of our study show that 46.3% of the participants experience an increase of social inclusion in terms of 'activation and internalization' and 41.0% experience an increase in 'participation and connection'. Results show that foreigners and people who live together experience a higher increase on variables of 'activation and internalization' and 'participation and connection'. Furthermore, results show that learners who received school education at a primary level and have no professional qualification experience a higher increase of social inclusion on a few variables of social inclusion

Understanding the effects of training programs for vulnerable adults on social inclusion as part of continuing education

According to the increasing rates of unemployment and poverty a significant share of the european population can be considered at-risk-of-social exclusion. In order to combat social exclusion adult education seemed to be a possible tool, which can increase social inclusion among adult learners. This study explores factors relating to training programs considered as adult and continuing education which enhance social inclusion for vulnerable adults and their life environment. The results indicate that after following the training programs as part of continuing learning, the participants show a significant increase in activation and internalisation as well as participation and connection (as processes of social inclusion). Moreover, non-parametric correlation analysis and logistical regression analysis shows that the training design feature transfer possibilities is significantly related to the increase of almost all social inclusion variables. Besides this direct surroundings and learning contents and activities only significantly relates to the increase of social inclusion variables of activation and internalisation and care to the social inclusion variables of participation and connection

Psychological Frailty and Quality of Life of Community Dwelling Older People: a Qualitative Study

In general, frailty is associated with deficits and adverse health outcomes and a low quality of life. This study was designed to get more insight into older psychologically frail peoples' Quality of Life (QoL), lived experiences and personal strategies. Data of 121 community dwelling older people, were collected between November 2015 and March 2016, using a multi-actor and mixed-method approach. Of this sample, seven high psychological frail participants who experienced or expected an improvement of their QoL were selected. Psychological frailty was measured by the Comprehensive Frailty Assessment Instrument and QoL by using numeric rating scale. For the qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Respondents pointed financial resources, good health, connectedness, and meaningful activities as determinants for their QoL. Strategies to have or maintain a good QoL in later life, when confronted with frailty, were: adequate problem solving, support seeking, cognitive restructuring and religious coping mechanisms. Older people, despite being high psychologically frail, experience or can maintain or improve their QoL. As a consequence, all people involved with psychologically frail older people are encouraged to change their view towards the relationship between frailty and QoL and to focus more on individual's strengths and abilities