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Understanding the Relationships Between Autistic Identity, Disclosure, and Camouflaging
Eilidh Cage1,2, Zoe Troxell-Whitman1
1Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, United Kingdom.
Autism in Adulthood : Challenges and Management
|January 5, 2023
Summary
Strong autistic identity is linked to less camouflaging when individuals openly disclose their autism. However, a direct effect also shows higher autistic identity correlating with more camouflaging, indicating a complex relationship.
Area of Science:
- Neurodiversity studies
- Psychology
- Social sciences
Background:
- Camouflaging, or masking autistic traits, is common but its relationship with autistic identity is not well understood.
- Previous research links camouflaging to poorer mental health, necessitating exploration of factors that may reduce it.
- Disclosure of autistic status may mediate the relationship between autistic identity and camouflaging behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interrelationships between camouflaging, autistic identity, and disclosure among autistic adults.
- To test the hypothesis that higher autistic identity, coupled with greater disclosure, leads to reduced camouflaging.
Main Methods:
- One hundred eighty autistic adults completed an online survey assessing camouflaging, autistic identity, and disclosure.
- Mediation analysis was employed to examine the indirect effects of autistic identity on camouflaging via disclosure.
Main Results:
- A significant indirect negative effect of autistic identity on camouflaging was found, mediated by disclosure.
- Higher autistic identity was associated with increased disclosure, which in turn was linked to decreased camouflaging.
- Competitive mediation was observed, with a significant direct positive effect of autistic identity on camouflaging, independent of disclosure.
Conclusions:
- Camouflaging may be reduced when autistic individuals possess a strong sense of autistic identity and openly disclose their status.
- The direct effect suggests potential internal conflict for strongly self-identifying autistic individuals who continue to camouflage.
- Creating safe, non-discriminatory environments is crucial to facilitate disclosure and potentially reduce camouflaging behaviors.
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