Examining an integrated path model of psychological and sociocultural predictors of camouflaging in autistic adults / Sici ZHUANG in Autism, 29-9 (September 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 29-9 (September 2025) . - p.2328-2343 Titre : Examining an integrated path model of psychological and sociocultural predictors of camouflaging in autistic adults Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Mackenzie BOUGOURE, Auteur ; Dawn-Joy LEONG, Auteur ; Lydia DEAN, Auteur ; Susan REDDROP, Auteur ; Kristin NARAGON-GAINEY, Auteur ; Murray MAYBERY, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2328-2343 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  camouflaging  masking  psychosocial factors  social model of disability Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Camouflaging involves various strategies employed by autistic individuals to modulate the visibility of their autistic characteristics in social situations and is thought to be primarily motivated by psychosocial factors. Most studies to date have examined a limited number of psychosocial factors related to camouflaging. This study tested an integrated model encompassing several hypothesised individual psychological (i.e. fear of negative evaluation, self-esteem, autistic identity) and broader sociocultural predictors (i.e. perceived stigma, vulnerability events, cultural tightness-looseness, independent and interdependent self-construal). Participants were 225 autistic adults (18-77?years; 60.9% female), who completed self-report measures online. Path analysis partially supported the model, explaining about 25% of the variance in camouflaging. Several sociocultural factors - perceived stigma, cultural tightness and independent and interdependent self-construal - were indirectly associated with camouflaging through individual psychological factors. Notably, greater vulnerability to negative life events was the only sociocultural factor directly contributing to more camouflaging, without mediation by individual psychological factors. Fear of negative evaluation emerged as a strong predictor, mediating most relationships between broader sociocultural factors and camouflaging. Our findings highlight key psychosocial factors as crucial targets for social change, advocating a shift from stigmatisation to acceptance and inclusion to alleviate the pressure on autistic people to camouflage.Lay abstract Many autistic people use strategies known as 'camouflaging' to change how noticeable their autistic traits are in social situations. Previous research suggests that camouflaging is largely motivated by psychological and social factors. However, most studies so far have only looked at a few psychosocial factors related to camouflaging. In this study, we explored a model that included several individual psychological factors (such as fear of being negatively judged, self-esteem and autistic identity) and broader social and cultural factors (such as perceived stigma, negative life events, cultural emphasis on conformity and desire to fit in or stand out). We surveyed 225 autistic adults aged 18-77?years online. Our findings showed that several sociocultural factors were indirectly linked to camouflaging through individual psychological factors. Fear of being negatively judged emerged as a strong predictor of camouflaging. Specifically, autistic adults who perceived greater stigma, felt greater pressure to conform, had a lesser desire to stand out and a greater desire to fit in tended to experience a greater fear of being negatively judged and reported more camouflaging. In addition, those who experienced more negative life events were more likely to engage in camouflaging. Our study identifies key psychological and social factors as potential targets for social change. Our findings emphasise that our societies need to shift away from stigmatising attitudes towards accepting and including autistic people, which could reduce the pressure on autistic individuals to camouflage in social situations. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241262110 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=566 [article] Examining an integrated path model of psychological and sociocultural predictors of camouflaging in autistic adults [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Mackenzie BOUGOURE, Auteur ; Dawn-Joy LEONG, Auteur ; Lydia DEAN, Auteur ; Susan REDDROP, Auteur ; Kristin NARAGON-GAINEY, Auteur ; Murray MAYBERY, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur . - p.2328-2343. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 29-9 (September 2025) . - p.2328-2343 Mots-clés : autism  camouflaging  masking  psychosocial factors  social model of disability Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Camouflaging involves various strategies employed by autistic individuals to modulate the visibility of their autistic characteristics in social situations and is thought to be primarily motivated by psychosocial factors. Most studies to date have examined a limited number of psychosocial factors related to camouflaging. This study tested an integrated model encompassing several hypothesised individual psychological (i.e. fear of negative evaluation, self-esteem, autistic identity) and broader sociocultural predictors (i.e. perceived stigma, vulnerability events, cultural tightness-looseness, independent and interdependent self-construal). Participants were 225 autistic adults (18-77?years; 60.9% female), who completed self-report measures online. Path analysis partially supported the model, explaining about 25% of the variance in camouflaging. Several sociocultural factors - perceived stigma, cultural tightness and independent and interdependent self-construal - were indirectly associated with camouflaging through individual psychological factors. Notably, greater vulnerability to negative life events was the only sociocultural factor directly contributing to more camouflaging, without mediation by individual psychological factors. Fear of negative evaluation emerged as a strong predictor, mediating most relationships between broader sociocultural factors and camouflaging. Our findings highlight key psychosocial factors as crucial targets for social change, advocating a shift from stigmatisation to acceptance and inclusion to alleviate the pressure on autistic people to camouflage.Lay abstract Many autistic people use strategies known as 'camouflaging' to change how noticeable their autistic traits are in social situations. Previous research suggests that camouflaging is largely motivated by psychological and social factors. However, most studies so far have only looked at a few psychosocial factors related to camouflaging. In this study, we explored a model that included several individual psychological factors (such as fear of being negatively judged, self-esteem and autistic identity) and broader social and cultural factors (such as perceived stigma, negative life events, cultural emphasis on conformity and desire to fit in or stand out). We surveyed 225 autistic adults aged 18-77?years online. Our findings showed that several sociocultural factors were indirectly linked to camouflaging through individual psychological factors. Fear of being negatively judged emerged as a strong predictor of camouflaging. Specifically, autistic adults who perceived greater stigma, felt greater pressure to conform, had a lesser desire to stand out and a greater desire to fit in tended to experience a greater fear of being negatively judged and reported more camouflaging. In addition, those who experienced more negative life events were more likely to engage in camouflaging. Our study identifies key psychological and social factors as potential targets for social change. Our findings emphasise that our societies need to shift away from stigmatising attitudes towards accepting and including autistic people, which could reduce the pressure on autistic individuals to camouflage in social situations. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241262110 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=566

Exploring autistic adults' psychosocial experiences affecting beginnings, continuity and change in camouflaging over time: A qualitative study in Singapore / Beatrice Rui Yi LOO in Autism, 28-3 (March 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 28-3 (March 2024) . - p.627-643 Titre : Exploring autistic adults' psychosocial experiences affecting beginnings, continuity and change in camouflaging over time: A qualitative study in Singapore Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Beatrice Rui Yi LOO, Auteur ; Truman Jing Yang TEO, Auteur ; Melanie Jiamin LIANG, Auteur ; Dawn-Joy LEONG, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Laura HULL, Auteur ; Lucy A. LIVINGSTON, Auteur ; Will MANDY, Auteur ; Francesca HAPPE, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.627-643 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adults  autism  camouflaging  masking  mental health  well-being Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Camouflaging (or otherwise referred to as masking or passing) involves hiding one?s autistic-related characteristics and differences to get by in social situations in predominantly non-autistic societies. Very little is known to date about the course of camouflaging motivations and strategies over time or the psychosocial factors that may influence autistic people?s camouflaging choices and trajectories. In an exploratory qualitative study within an Asian sociocultural context, we interviewed 11 Singaporean autistic adults (9 males, 2 females, aged 22-45?years) about their camouflaging experiences to better understand (1) their camouflaging motivations and strategies over time, and (2) related psychosocial influences. Organised across four phases (pre-camouflaging, beginnings, continuity and change over time), 17 themes relating to camouflaging motivations and 8 themes relating to strategies were identified. The earliest camouflaging motivations were predominantly relational, linked to a negative self-identity that had been shaped by adverse social experiences. Camouflaging strategies became increasingly complex and integrated into one?s sense of self over time. Our findings highlight the role of psychosocial pressures precipitating camouflaging and emphasise the need for individual and societal changes, including moving towards enhanced acceptance and inclusion to reduce psychosocial pressures on autistic people to camouflage. Lay Abstract Over their lifetimes, many autistic people learn to camouflage (hide or mask) their autism-related differences to forge relationships, find work and live independently in largely non-autistic societies. Autistic adults have described camouflaging as a 'lifetime of conditioning . . . to act normal' involving 'years of effort', suggesting that camouflaging develops over an autistic person?s lifetime and may start early on, in childhood or adolescence. Yet, we know very little about why and how autistic people start to camouflage, or why and how their camouflaging behaviours continue or change over time. We interviewed 11 Singaporean autistic adults (9 male, 2 female, 22-45?years old) who shared their camouflaging experiences. We found that autistic adults' earliest motivations to camouflage were largely related to the desire to fit in and connect with others. They also camouflaged to avoid difficult social experiences (such as being teased or bullied). Autistic adults shared that their camouflaging behaviours became more complex and that, for some, camouflaging became a part of their self-identity over time. Our findings suggest that society should not pathologise autistic differences, but instead accept and include autistic people, to reduce the pressure on autistic people to hide who they truly are. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231180075 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=523 [article] Exploring autistic adults' psychosocial experiences affecting beginnings, continuity and change in camouflaging over time: A qualitative study in Singapore [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Beatrice Rui Yi LOO, Auteur ; Truman Jing Yang TEO, Auteur ; Melanie Jiamin LIANG, Auteur ; Dawn-Joy LEONG, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Laura HULL, Auteur ; Lucy A. LIVINGSTON, Auteur ; Will MANDY, Auteur ; Francesca HAPPE, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur . - p.627-643. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 28-3 (March 2024) . - p.627-643 Mots-clés : adults  autism  camouflaging  masking  mental health  well-being Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Camouflaging (or otherwise referred to as masking or passing) involves hiding one?s autistic-related characteristics and differences to get by in social situations in predominantly non-autistic societies. Very little is known to date about the course of camouflaging motivations and strategies over time or the psychosocial factors that may influence autistic people?s camouflaging choices and trajectories. In an exploratory qualitative study within an Asian sociocultural context, we interviewed 11 Singaporean autistic adults (9 males, 2 females, aged 22-45?years) about their camouflaging experiences to better understand (1) their camouflaging motivations and strategies over time, and (2) related psychosocial influences. Organised across four phases (pre-camouflaging, beginnings, continuity and change over time), 17 themes relating to camouflaging motivations and 8 themes relating to strategies were identified. The earliest camouflaging motivations were predominantly relational, linked to a negative self-identity that had been shaped by adverse social experiences. Camouflaging strategies became increasingly complex and integrated into one?s sense of self over time. Our findings highlight the role of psychosocial pressures precipitating camouflaging and emphasise the need for individual and societal changes, including moving towards enhanced acceptance and inclusion to reduce psychosocial pressures on autistic people to camouflage. Lay Abstract Over their lifetimes, many autistic people learn to camouflage (hide or mask) their autism-related differences to forge relationships, find work and live independently in largely non-autistic societies. Autistic adults have described camouflaging as a 'lifetime of conditioning . . . to act normal' involving 'years of effort', suggesting that camouflaging develops over an autistic person?s lifetime and may start early on, in childhood or adolescence. Yet, we know very little about why and how autistic people start to camouflage, or why and how their camouflaging behaviours continue or change over time. We interviewed 11 Singaporean autistic adults (9 male, 2 female, 22-45?years old) who shared their camouflaging experiences. We found that autistic adults' earliest motivations to camouflage were largely related to the desire to fit in and connect with others. They also camouflaged to avoid difficult social experiences (such as being teased or bullied). Autistic adults shared that their camouflaging behaviours became more complex and that, for some, camouflaging became a part of their self-identity over time. Our findings suggest that society should not pathologise autistic differences, but instead accept and include autistic people, to reduce the pressure on autistic people to hide who they truly are. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613231180075 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=523

Exploring the construct validity of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire: A factor analytic study / Katharine MCKINNON in Autism, 29-3 (March 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 29-3 (March 2025) . - p.642-658 Titre : Exploring the construct validity of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire: A factor analytic study Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Katharine MCKINNON, Auteur ; Mackenzie BOUGOURE, Auteur ; Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.642-658 Langues : Anglais (eng) Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : 'Camouflaging' is a set of strategies used by autistic people to hide or compensate for their autistic characteristics to fit into predominantly non-autistic social environments. Many researchers have used the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (... En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241287964 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=550 [article] Exploring the construct validity of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire: A factor analytic study [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Katharine MCKINNON, Auteur ; Mackenzie BOUGOURE, Auteur ; Sici ZHUANG, Auteur ; Diana Weiting TAN, Auteur ; Iliana MAGIATI, Auteur . - p.642-658. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 29-3 (March 2025) . - p.642-658 Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : 'Camouflaging' is a set of strategies used by autistic people to hide or compensate for their autistic characteristics to fit into predominantly non-autistic social environments. Many researchers have used the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (... En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613241287964 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=550

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