Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 51 10 2022 10 05 2340 2349 Zahra Salehzadeh Einabad Clinical Psychology Department, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Mahshid Mojtahedzadeh Clinical Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kharazmi University, Karaj, Iran Elaheh Khalili Clinical Psychology Department, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Barbara Dristchel School of Psychology & Neuroscience, Westburn Lane, St Andrews, Fife, United Kingdom Bijan Pirnia Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University od Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 11 09 2019 03 17 Background: Research on the role of social problem-solving in the relationship between autistic traits and depression is still in its nascent stage and more detailed research is required. Methods: We aimed to investigate the mediating role of problem-solving in the relationship between autistic traits and depression. A sample of 376 university students were assessed on depression, problem-solving and autism-spectrum quotient in 2019 at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. Results: Social problem-solving played the role of a partial mediator in the relationship between autistic traits and depression. Positive problem orientation and negative problem-solving style fully mediated the effects of autistic traits on depression. Conclusion: Since people with autistic traits have deficits in problem-solving strategies, they may be vulnerable to symptoms of depression. Increasing the ability of positive problem-solving and decreasing negative problem orientation may serve as a buffer against depression in people with autistic traits.   https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/15280 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/15280/7753