The effect of autistic traits on negative emotions in adolescents: the bidirectional chain mediation roles of sleep quality and executive function

Objectives Adolescents with high autistic traits, even without a diagnosis of autism, face a higher risk for mental health issues, yet the specific mechanisms through which this occurs remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of autistic traits on adolescents' negative emotional states and to elucidate the mediating roles of sleep quality and executive function, two established and interrelated variables that are influenced by autistic traits, in this process.Methods A total of 611 adolescents from two middle schools in central China participated in the study. The participants were asked to complete a battery of questionnaires that assessed autistic traits, sleep quality, executive function and negative emotions through an online survey platform.Results The results showed that higher levels of autistic traits were significantly associated with poorer sleep, greater executive dysfunction and more severe negative emotions in adolescents. Moreover, sleep quality and executive function each played a partial mediating role between autistic traits and negative emotions. Additionally, sleep quality and executive function exhibited a bidirectional chain mediation effect.Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of considering both sleep quality and executive function for the promoting of mental health in adolescents with high autistic traits.