Lucinda Pouw

Universiteit Leiden, Child and Adolescent Psychology, Faculty Member

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Social and emotional development of children with ASD (9-15 yrs). Main topics are empathy, emotion awareness, emotion regulation, internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
Phone: 0623874003

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University of Oxford

University of Hull

University of Cagliari

Deirdre Wilson

University College London

Hans Koot

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Papers by Lucinda Pouw

Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game

Autism, Feb 12, 2014

In the context of experimental economics, a much cited article by Fehr and Schmidt (1999) introdu... more In the context of experimental economics, a much cited article by Fehr and Schmidt (1999) introduced a theory of 'inequity aversion' to explain why, at least in some cases, 'people resist inequitable outcomes; i.e., they are willing to give up some material payoff to move in the direction of more equitable outcomes' (p. 819). Fairness considerations were suggested as explanations for observed patterns of responses on social decision games that did not fit the default assumption that people act to maximise self-interest. This theory, and the empirical work that followed, sparked a significant debate about the presence of, explanations for and implications of human commitments to equality (see Binmore and Shaked, 2010; Eckel and Gintis, 2010). Questions about if and how equality-promoting behaviour might underpin efforts to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others remain controversial (see Brosnan, 2011; Dawes et al., 2007). Nonetheless, there seems to be clear evidence that behavioural orientations towards or away from equality can at least be investigated and described, even in young children. Children as young as 3 years old notice and react negatively to unequal distributions, particularly when they are disadvantaged themselves (LoBue et al., 2011). At this age, children show little willingness to share, but a non-negligible percentage is willing to make choices that are beneficial to the recipient if it is not costly (Fehr et al., 2008). From 5 years of age, children explicitly talk about fairness (LoBue et al., 2011

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The link between emotion regulation, social functioning, and depression in boys with ASD

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apr 1, 2013

Abstract Purpose Symptoms of depression are common in children and adolescents with an autism spe... more Abstract Purpose Symptoms of depression are common in children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but information about underlying developmental factors is limited. Depression is often linked to aspects of emotional functioning such as coping strategies, but in children with ASD difficulties with social interactions are also a likely contributor to depressive symptoms. Methodology We examined several aspects of emotional coping (approach, avoidant, maladaptive) and social functioning (victimization, negative friendship interactions) and their relation to depression symptoms in children with ASD ( N = 63) and typically developing (TD) peers ( N = 57). Children completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Results Less approach and avoidant, but more maladaptive coping strategies, and poor social functioning were uniquely associated with more symptoms of depression in children with ASD. Only less approach and more maladaptive coping were uniquely associated with depression severity in TD boys. Conclusions Unlike TD boys, boys with ASD who report using avoidant strategies to deal with stressful situations report fewer symptoms of depression, suggesting that this may be an adaptive emotion regulation strategy. However, understanding the role of over-arousal in this process, inferences about long-term effects of this strategy, its causality and direction of effects will require additional research.

Reactive/proactive aggression and affective/cognitive empathy in children with ASD

Research in Developmental Disabilities, Apr 1, 2013

Research is suggesting that aggression is a common problem in children with ASD (Farmer & Aman, 2... more Research is suggesting that aggression is a common problem in children with ASD (Farmer & Aman, 2011; Kanne & Mazurek, 2011). For example, young and older children with ASD exhibit various externalizing behaviors such as damaging others' belongings, tantrums, and self-injurious behaviors (Horner, Carr, Strain, Todd, & Reed, 2002). Kanne and Mazurek (2011) investigated 1380 children with ASD from 4 to 17 years old and found that 68% displayed aggressive behavior toward

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Don't anger me! Bullying, victimization, and emotion dysregulation in young adolescents with ASD

European Journal of Developmental Psychology, May 1, 2012

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

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Emotion regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder : the link with social functioning and psychopathology

In this thesis we examine how different aspects of emotion regulation are linked to social functi... more In this thesis we examine how different aspects of emotion regulation are linked to social functioning and psychopathology in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. We take a broad perspective on emotion regulation by examining i) Emotion awareness, ii) Coping, and iii) Empathy. Main findings where that children with ASD scored lower on social functioning and higher on internalizing behavior, compared to their TD peers. Furthermore, all three aspects of emotion regulation were related with social functioning and psychopathology in both groups. Although children with ASD appeared to be motivated to engage in peer interactions, cognitive and affective impairments may prevent them from effectively deal with the own and other’s emotions. This thesis showed that internalizing and externalizing behavior in children with ASD mainly stems from impaired emotion regulation. Clinical implications and suggestions for furth...

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Reactive/proactive aggression and affective/cognitive empathy in children with ASD

Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2013

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The link between emotion regulation, social functioning, and depression in boys with ASD

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2013

Emotion regulation in children with autism spectrum disorder : the link with social functioning and psychopathology

High levels of anxiety are a common problem in children and adolescents with an autism spectrum d... more High levels of anxiety are a common problem in children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and frequently associated with a range of other internalizing and externalizing problems. Higher levels of anxiety are often linked to an impaired emotion regulation. In this study, we examined the extent to which emotion understanding and regulation contributed to the prediction of lower levels of self-reported anxiety in boys with ASD (N=55, Mage=141), compared to TD boys (N=48, Mage=139). The results showed that a greater understanding of one's own emotions was related to less anxiety in both groups, but understanding of other's emotions was only beneficial in TD boys. Shame was positively related with social anxiety and sense of coherence in both groups. However, only in boys with ASD, anger related positively to social anxiety, suggesting that impaired emotion regulation skills are a strong predictor for internalizing problems in these children. Future research should focus on the longitudinal relation between emotion regulation and internalizing problems.

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Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game

Autism, 2014

Much controversy surrounds questions about whether humans have an aversion to inequity and how a ... more Much controversy surrounds questions about whether humans have an aversion to inequity and how a commitment to equality might play a role in cooperation and other aspects of social interactions. Examining the social decisions of children with autism spectrum disorders provides a fascinating opportunity to explore these issues. Specifically, we evaluated the possibility that children with autism spectrum disorders may be less likely than typically developing children to show a prioritisation of equality. A total of 69 typically developing (mean age 11;6 years) and 57 cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders (mean age 11;7 years) played a social decision game in which the equality option was pitted against alternatives that varied in instrumental outcomes. Results showed that both groups were more likely to choose the equality option when there was no cost to the self. However, even though children with autism spectrum disorders appeared to view equality as preferable to causing explicit harm to others, they departed from an equality stance when there was an opportunity to increase instrumental gain without any obvious harm to the self or the other. Typically developing children, in contrast, showed similar prioritisation of equality across these contexts. Future research needs to address the question of how differences in the commitment to equality affect children&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s social behaviour and relationships in daily life.

Reactive/proactive aggression and affective/cognitive empathy in children with ASD

The main aim of this study was to examine the extent to which affective and cognitive empathy wer... more The main aim of this study was to examine the extent to which affective and cognitive empathy were associated with reactive and proactive aggression, and whether these associations differed between children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) children. The study included 133 children (67 ASD, 66 TD, Mage = 139 months), who filled out self-report questionnaires. The main findings showed that the association between reactive aggression and affective empathy was negative in TD children, but positive in children with ASD. The outcomes support the idea that a combination of poor emotion regulation and impaired understanding of others’ emotions is associated with aggressive behavior in children with ASD.► Reactive aggression was negatively associated with affective empathy in TD children, but this association was positive for children with ASD. ► Observation of others’ distress is associated with anger and aggressive behavior in children with ASD.

The link between emotion regulation, social functioning, and depression in boys with ASD

Symptoms of depression are common in children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (A... more Symptoms of depression are common in children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but information about underlying developmental factors is limited. Depression is often linked to aspects of emotional functioning such as coping strategies, but in children with ASD difficulties with social interactions are also a likely contributor to depressive symptoms.We examined several aspects of emotional coping (approach, avoidant, maladaptive) and social functioning (victimization, negative friendship interactions) and their relation to depression symptoms in children with ASD (N = 63) and typically developing (TD) peers (N = 57). Children completed a battery of self-report questionnaires.Less approach and avoidant, but more maladaptive coping strategies, and poor social functioning were uniquely associated with more symptoms of depression in children with ASD. Only less approach and more maladaptive coping were uniquely associated with depression severity in TD boys.Unlike TD boys, boys with ASD who report using avoidant strategies to deal with stressful situations report fewer symptoms of depression, suggesting that this may be an adaptive emotion regulation strategy. However, understanding the role of over-arousal in this process, inferences about long-term effects of this strategy, its causality and direction of effects will require additional research.► Approach and avoidant coping strategies were negatively correlated with depression in boys with ASD. ► Maladaptive coping was positively associated with depression in boys with ASD. ► Victimization and negative friendship interactions were uniquely related to more symptoms of depression, only in boys with ASD. ► Symptoms of depression seem to be related to the child's perceived ability to effectively deal with stress evoking situations.

Don't anger me! Bullying, victimization, and emotion dysregulation in young adolescents with ASD

European Journal of …, Jan 1, 2012

The purpose of this study was to increase our knowledge regarding the role that emotional functio... more

Better to be equal? Challenges to equality for cognitively able children with autism spectrum disorders in a social decision game

Autism, Feb 12, 2014

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The link between emotion regulation, social functioning, and depression in boys with ASD

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Apr 1, 2013