Examining the interactions between symptom masking, quality of life, mental health and other lived experiences in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Disciplines
Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This study investigated the relationship between symptom masking, overall quality of life, mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression) and other lived experiences in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The World Health Organization describes ASD as a group of conditions that are characterized by having difficulty in social interactions and communication as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors. Masking (also referred to as camouflaging) is when a person tries to hide or mask their symptoms or personality to fit in to societal norms. Camouflaging is common in ASD. Further, recent research revealed a negative relationship between camouflaging and quality of life in individuals with ASD. However, the effects of symptom camouflaging on mental health have been understudied in ASD as have the relationships between age of diagnoses and these variables. Continued research is therefore needed to unpack these nuanced relationships. In this study, 150 participants with ASD were recruited through an online platform, Prolific, to complete a battery of self-report questionnaires regarding ASD symptomatology, symptom masking habits, mental health, quality of life and other demographic questions. Regression analyses evaluating the relationships amongst variables will be discussed. This project adds to the scientific literature on ASD by illustrating how camouflaging may affect not only mental health but also broader lived experiences.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Sidni Justus
Examining the interactions between symptom masking, quality of life, mental health and other lived experiences in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This study investigated the relationship between symptom masking, overall quality of life, mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression) and other lived experiences in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The World Health Organization describes ASD as a group of conditions that are characterized by having difficulty in social interactions and communication as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors. Masking (also referred to as camouflaging) is when a person tries to hide or mask their symptoms or personality to fit in to societal norms. Camouflaging is common in ASD. Further, recent research revealed a negative relationship between camouflaging and quality of life in individuals with ASD. However, the effects of symptom camouflaging on mental health have been understudied in ASD as have the relationships between age of diagnoses and these variables. Continued research is therefore needed to unpack these nuanced relationships. In this study, 150 participants with ASD were recruited through an online platform, Prolific, to complete a battery of self-report questionnaires regarding ASD symptomatology, symptom masking habits, mental health, quality of life and other demographic questions. Regression analyses evaluating the relationships amongst variables will be discussed. This project adds to the scientific literature on ASD by illustrating how camouflaging may affect not only mental health but also broader lived experiences.