Experiences of interoception and anxiety in autistic adolescents: A reflexive thematic analysis / Smith JONAHS ; Brown MARY ; Bird GEOFFREY ; Waite POLLY in Autism, 29-6 (June 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 29-6 (June 2025) . - p.1585-1596 Titre : Experiences of interoception and anxiety in autistic adolescents: A reflexive thematic analysis Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Smith JONAHS, Auteur ; Brown MARY, Auteur ; Bird GEOFFREY, Auteur ; Waite POLLY, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1585-1596 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : adolescents  anxiety  interoception  mental health  qualitative research Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Most autistic adolescents experience anxiety. Interoception, defined as one?s ability to detect and interpret bodily signals, might contribute to this. The aim of this exploratory, qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of interoceptive experiences in autistic adolescents and how this relates to anxiety. Semi-structured 1:1 interviews were conducted with 13 UK-based, autistic adolescents, aged 14-17 years, who reported experiencing significant, day-to-day anxiety. Interviews were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Interoception appeared relevant to experiences of anxiety in most participants, although this influence was exerted through various routes. While hypoawareness of interoceptive signals led to a reduced ability to detect and regulate anxiety, hyperawareness became overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Overly negative evaluations of interoceptive signals, including catastrophising about the signals indicating danger, also triggered anxiety. Relationships between interoception and anxiety appeared bidirectional, with anxiety also affecting interoceptive awareness and evaluation. Interoceptive experiences were variable both across and within participants, with factors such as arousal and cognitive overload affecting experiences. Future research should focus on assessing the feasibility of interventions based on the mechanisms identified here.Lay abstract Anxiety is common in autistic adolescents. The detection and interpretation of signals coming from inside the body (e.g. heartbeat and hunger) is assumed to be related to both anxiety and autism. We interviewed 13 autistic 14- to 17-year-olds who reported experiencing significant anxiety, to explore the role that bodily signals played in their experiences of anxiety. Across most participants, there did appear to be a relationship, although the exact way it was related varied. When participants were very aware of bodily signals, they could become overwhelming, but if they were not aware at all, then it was difficult for them to notice themselves getting anxious until it was too late. If participants interpreted these signals negatively, for example, assuming the signals meant something was wrong with their body, they were also more likely to feel anxious. Whether participants were aware or negatively evaluated these signals was very variable and appeared to be context-dependent. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613251314595 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=558 [article] Experiences of interoception and anxiety in autistic adolescents: A reflexive thematic analysis [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Smith JONAHS, Auteur ; Brown MARY, Auteur ; Bird GEOFFREY, Auteur ; Waite POLLY, Auteur . - p.1585-1596. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 29-6 (June 2025) . - p.1585-1596 Mots-clés : adolescents  anxiety  interoception  mental health  qualitative research Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Most autistic adolescents experience anxiety. Interoception, defined as one?s ability to detect and interpret bodily signals, might contribute to this. The aim of this exploratory, qualitative study was to gain a better understanding of interoceptive experiences in autistic adolescents and how this relates to anxiety. Semi-structured 1:1 interviews were conducted with 13 UK-based, autistic adolescents, aged 14-17 years, who reported experiencing significant, day-to-day anxiety. Interviews were analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach. Interoception appeared relevant to experiences of anxiety in most participants, although this influence was exerted through various routes. While hypoawareness of interoceptive signals led to a reduced ability to detect and regulate anxiety, hyperawareness became overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Overly negative evaluations of interoceptive signals, including catastrophising about the signals indicating danger, also triggered anxiety. Relationships between interoception and anxiety appeared bidirectional, with anxiety also affecting interoceptive awareness and evaluation. Interoceptive experiences were variable both across and within participants, with factors such as arousal and cognitive overload affecting experiences. Future research should focus on assessing the feasibility of interventions based on the mechanisms identified here.Lay abstract Anxiety is common in autistic adolescents. The detection and interpretation of signals coming from inside the body (e.g. heartbeat and hunger) is assumed to be related to both anxiety and autism. We interviewed 13 autistic 14- to 17-year-olds who reported experiencing significant anxiety, to explore the role that bodily signals played in their experiences of anxiety. Across most participants, there did appear to be a relationship, although the exact way it was related varied. When participants were very aware of bodily signals, they could become overwhelming, but if they were not aware at all, then it was difficult for them to notice themselves getting anxious until it was too late. If participants interpreted these signals negatively, for example, assuming the signals meant something was wrong with their body, they were also more likely to feel anxious. Whether participants were aware or negatively evaluated these signals was very variable and appeared to be context-dependent. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613251314595 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=558

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