Everyday memory and cognitive styles in adults with autism spectrum disorder : the relationship between the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test performance and Empathizing-Systemizing models

Objective: To examine everyday memory functioning using the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to healthy controls. Methods: The present study was conducted with 22 ASD patients and 20 healthy adults. Welch's test was conducted to compare the ASD group and the healthy controls group on the basis of their RBMT scores, and a generalized linear model was conducted to better understand the relationships between RBMT performance and the explanatory variables. Results: Welch's tests showed significant differences between the groups in "Total profile scores" (t = 2.982, degrees of freedom (df) = 40, P = 0.005) and "Prospective memory (PM)" (t = 2.781, df = 40, P = 0.008) for the RBMT. A general linear model revealed that an ASD diagnosis was not associated with total scores on the RBMT (partial regression coefficient [B] = 1.179, confidence interval (CI): 95% CI [-0.273, 2.632], P = 0.112). In contrast, empathy quotient (EQ) showed significant associations with total RBMT scores (B = 0.066, CI: 95% CI [0.012, 0.121], P = 0.017). Conclusion: The results indicated that everyday memory and PM functioning were impaired in adults with ASD. EQ was consistently associated with total RBMT scores in all models as the sole factor, suggesting the involvement of theory of mind and empathy in everyday memory.