ERIC Number: EJ1303587
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Aug
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Social Identities and Mental Well-Being in Autistic Adults
Maitland, Cameron A.; Rhodes, Sinead; O'Hare, Anne; Stewart, Mary E.
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v25 n6 p1771-1783 Aug 2021
Social identities relate to psychological perceptions of group memberships and form part of the self-concept. Socially identifying with groups has previously been found to associate with better mental well-being outcomes. This study first examined the factor structure and the reliability of measuring social identification in autistic adults. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a factor structure was replicated in this sample for social identification with other autistic people, but not the family. Second, the study assessed the level to which autistic adults socially identified with different groups, the total number of social identities and whether these were associated with their mental well-being. Autistic adults reported feelings of social identification with many kinds of groups, some with multiple groups, whereas others did not socially identify with any group. Stronger feelings of social identification towards other autistic people and towards one's family, and with more groups overall, were associated with less severe self-reported depression symptoms and more facets of positive mental health. These findings indicate the importance of facilitating autistic people's engagement with social groups.
Descriptors: Identification (Psychology), Well Being, Adults, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Group Membership, Measurement Techniques, Depression (Psychology), Mental Health, Social Cognition, Social Behavior, Measures (Individuals), Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Social Responsiveness Scale; Beck Depression Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A