An exploratory study on autistic socialization in VRChat's social virtual environments

This qualitative exploratory study examines if and how autistic individuals navigate social virtual environments, with a focus on VRChat, a leading platform. The research aims to understand VRChat's impact on autistic users' well-being, social connectedness, and overall quality of life. Given the ongoing reconceptualization of autism, this study explores the intersection of digital and virtual technology and autistic socialization.

Reflexive Thematic Analysis was employed to analyze self-generated content from autistic individuals on YouTube and Reddit. A PRISMA-adapted data selection framework was utilized to systematically identify and collect publicly available content. The final dataset consisted of 30 user-generated pieces, including videos, comments, and discussions, totaling over 450 min of audiovisual material and 1500 textual messages. Data were anonymized and thematically analyzed by multiple researchers through an iterative, inductive process, ensuring the inclusion of diverse autistic perspectives. In addition, a top-down perspective to the initial inductive analysis, thanks to theoretical triangulation, ensured a comprehensive interpretation of the data.

This paper primarily focuses on three themes (Scope of Use - Diverse Applications of VRChat; Autistic Life Experience; Overall Perceptions of VRChat) and their corresponding subthemes related to autistic users' experiences. Findings indicate that VRChat functions as a "virtual third place," offering autistic individuals a unique space for social engagement, self-expression, awareness-raising, and community building. The platform provides a safer environment where autistic users can share personal experiences, navigate social challenges, and explore their identities in ways that may be less or not accessible in offline settings.

VRChat appears to facilitate 'Autistic Socialization' by accommodating diverse communication styles and fostering a sense of belonging. Its affordances and features enable autistic users to interact in ways that support their social, sensory, and emotional well-being. Additionally, the findings suggest that VRChat serves as a platform for voicing and addressing 'Autistic Suffering,' including the socio-cultural challenges associated with neurodivergence. These insights contribute to discussions on the Double Empathy Problem and highlight the potential of virtual spaces in promoting neurodivergent social inclusion both online and offline.

Digital and virtual environments play a crucial role in supporting autistic self-narration, social connectedness, and well-being. Given the context-dependent nature of human interactions, further research is needed to explore how technology mediated communication can inform inclusive social practices in real-life settings. Future studies should develop and test interventions aimed at solving the Double Empathy Problem to improve quality of life.