The Preliminary Efficacy of Emotion Regulation Skills Training for Autistic Young Adults: A Pilot Study

Emotion regulation plays a central role in individuals’ mental health and psychosocial adjustment in life. As autistic youth transition into emerging adulthood, mental health conditions become more apparent due to systemic barriers such as mandatory service disconnection and few available adult services. Accordingly, adequate support and services for young adults on the autism spectrum need to be continued for a smooth transition. Research has found that better emotion regulation skills are associated with better mental health. The current study adapted dialectical behavior therapy emotion regulation skills training and implemented an 8-week group program, which is tailored for autistic young adults. The program is called Skills Improvement on Emotion Regulation for Adults (SIERA), which was modified using feedback from autistic individuals and stakeholders. SIERA was implemented in four groups ( n = 19) of autistic young adults. A single-group, pre- and posttest comparison design was used. Autistic young adults who participated in SIERA presented an increase in adaptive emotion regulation skills and psychological flexibility and a decrease in emotion dysregulation. Results indicated that SIERA was an efficacious intervention for autistic young adults in terms of improving emotion regulation skills. Future research directions and implications are also provided.