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Volume 27, Issue 2 (summer 2025)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2025, 27(2): 30-49 |
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Ethics code: IR.UMA.REC.1403.052
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Khoshsorour S, Narimani M, Basharpour S. Investigating the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autism spectrum symptoms in adolescents: A model examining the moderating role of executive functions (cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and working memory). Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2025; 27 (2) :30-49
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1740-en.html
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1740-en.html
1- PhD Student of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2- Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
2- Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract: (944 Views)
Introduction: High autistic traits in adolescents are associated with a wide range of detrimental educational and social outcomes. Thus, identifying the influencing factors is of significance. This study investigated the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autism spectrum symptoms, considering the moderating role of executive functions (cognitive flexibility, inhibition, and working memory).
Methods: This descriptive and correlational study used the structural Equation Modeling Method (SEM). The statistical population included all 12th-grade students in public schools (male and female) in Tehran during the 2023-2024 academic year. Using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design, 280 students (151 girls and 129 boys) were selected. The research tools included the Autism Spectrum Quotient, the Ekman 60-Faces Test, and computerized versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Stroop test, and the Daneman and Carpenter’s Working Memory Task. Data were analyzed using advanced structural equation modeling methods in Smart PLS 3 software.
Results: The results revealed that facial emotion recognition had a significant effect on subclinical autism spectrum symptoms (t=2.211, β=−0.324). Among executive functions, only cognitive flexibility significantly influenced subclinical autism spectrum symptoms (t=2.958, β=0.367). Additionally, regarding the moderating role of executive functions, the findings revealed that cognitive flexibility (t=2.174, β=0.317) and inhibition (t=1.975, β=0.212) moderated the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autism spectrum symptoms.
Conclusion: This study showed that domains of executive functioning (cognitive flexibility and inhibition) partially moderate the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autistic symptoms. Based on these findings, it is recommended that psychotherapists give serious consideration to the role of cognitive functions in the educational and therapeutic interventions for adolescents with subclinical autistic traits.
Methods: This descriptive and correlational study used the structural Equation Modeling Method (SEM). The statistical population included all 12th-grade students in public schools (male and female) in Tehran during the 2023-2024 academic year. Using a multi-stage cluster random sampling design, 280 students (151 girls and 129 boys) were selected. The research tools included the Autism Spectrum Quotient, the Ekman 60-Faces Test, and computerized versions of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, the Stroop test, and the Daneman and Carpenter’s Working Memory Task. Data were analyzed using advanced structural equation modeling methods in Smart PLS 3 software.
Results: The results revealed that facial emotion recognition had a significant effect on subclinical autism spectrum symptoms (t=2.211, β=−0.324). Among executive functions, only cognitive flexibility significantly influenced subclinical autism spectrum symptoms (t=2.958, β=0.367). Additionally, regarding the moderating role of executive functions, the findings revealed that cognitive flexibility (t=2.174, β=0.317) and inhibition (t=1.975, β=0.212) moderated the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autism spectrum symptoms.
Conclusion: This study showed that domains of executive functioning (cognitive flexibility and inhibition) partially moderate the relationship between facial emotion recognition and subclinical autistic symptoms. Based on these findings, it is recommended that psychotherapists give serious consideration to the role of cognitive functions in the educational and therapeutic interventions for adolescents with subclinical autistic traits.
Keywords: Cognitive flexibility, Facial emotion recognition, Inhibition, Subclinical autism spectrum symptoms, Working memory
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2024/12/10 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2025/10/5
Received: 2024/12/10 | Accepted: 2025/09/21 | Published: 2025/10/5
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