5 recherche sur le mot-clé 'Minority stress'

Extending the Minority Stress Model of Autism: Internalized Stigma and Loneliness as Predictors of Stress and Life Satisfaction / Alvin VAN ASSELT in Autism, 30-6 (June 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 30-6 (June 2026) . - p.1532-1547 Titre : Extending the Minority Stress Model of Autism: Internalized Stigma and Loneliness as Predictors of Stress and Life Satisfaction Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Alvin VAN ASSELT, Auteur ; Yvette ROKE, Auteur ; Sander BEGEER, Auteur ; Anke M. SCHEEREN, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1532-1547 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  minority stress  psychological mediation framework  internalized stigma  loneliness  stress  life satisfaction Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic people’s minority status makes them more vulnerable to minority stressors, such as stigmatization and victimization, which are linked to greater stress and lower life satisfaction. The Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF) proposes that cognitive, affective, and social-psychological processes help explain the relationships between these stressors and adverse outcomes. This cross-sectional study tested the PMF in autistic adults by examining how two of its key processes, internalized stigma and loneliness, are associated with stress and life satisfaction. Using self-report survey data from 831 autistic participants enrolled in the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR), aged 18–87 years (Mage = 47.5; SD = 12.5; 408 women, 309 men, and 114 gender-diverse individuals), multiple regression analyses showed that internalized autism-related stigma, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness were each positively associated with stress and negatively associated with life satisfaction. Mediation analyses indicated that both types of loneliness partially mediated the relationship between internalized autism-related stigma and these outcomes. Supporting the PMF, the findings suggest that autism-related stigmas may become internalized and be associated with loneliness, which is linked to greater stress and lower life satisfaction. Future studies should build upon the PMF and explore strategies to mitigate underlying minority stressors.Lay Abstract Understanding stress and life satisfaction in autistic adults with the psychological mediation frameworkWhy was this study done?Autistic adults often experience higher levels of stress and lower life satisfaction than non-autistic adults. Recently, research has suggested that these experiences are linked to them being part of a minority group—autistic people. Minorities often experience extra stress from experiences like stigma, sometimes called minority stressors. A theoretical model, the Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF), describes how minority stressors are linked to differences in people’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings. This study examined whether the PMF can also help explain the stress and life satisfaction of autistic adults. We did this by testing whether two important parts of the PMF, internalized autism-related stigma (negative beliefs about being autistic) and loneliness, were linked to their stress and life satisfaction (how content people feel with their lives overall).What did we do?We analyzed data from 831 autistic adults who filled out a survey. In our statistical models (mathematical analyses that test how variables are related), we took into account other factors that are more commonly used to examine which factors were statistically associated with stress and life satisfaction in autistic adults, such as the level of characteristics related to autism and education level. By doing this, we increased the chance that any relationships we found could be attributed to minority stressors.What did we find?Autistic adults who experienced more internalized autism-related stigma, emotional loneliness (feeling disconnected from close relationships), and social loneliness (lacking a broader social network) reported higher stress levels and lower life satisfaction. We also found that autistic adults with more internalized stigma felt lonelier, and this loneliness was linked to higher stress and lower life satisfaction.What do the findings mean?The results suggest that autistic adults may internalize autism-related stigmas, which are linked to greater loneliness, higher stress, and lower life satisfaction. As these findings align with the PMF, we believe future studies should continue using this model. Also, we recommend that researchers should study ways to reduce minority stressors and improve the mental health of autistic adults. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613261446876 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=586 [article] Extending the Minority Stress Model of Autism: Internalized Stigma and Loneliness as Predictors of Stress and Life Satisfaction [texte imprimé] / Alvin VAN ASSELT, Auteur ; Yvette ROKE, Auteur ; Sander BEGEER, Auteur ; Anke M. SCHEEREN, Auteur . - p.1532-1547. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 30-6 (June 2026) . - p.1532-1547 Mots-clés : autism  minority stress  psychological mediation framework  internalized stigma  loneliness  stress  life satisfaction Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Autistic people’s minority status makes them more vulnerable to minority stressors, such as stigmatization and victimization, which are linked to greater stress and lower life satisfaction. The Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF) proposes that cognitive, affective, and social-psychological processes help explain the relationships between these stressors and adverse outcomes. This cross-sectional study tested the PMF in autistic adults by examining how two of its key processes, internalized stigma and loneliness, are associated with stress and life satisfaction. Using self-report survey data from 831 autistic participants enrolled in the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR), aged 18–87 years (Mage = 47.5; SD = 12.5; 408 women, 309 men, and 114 gender-diverse individuals), multiple regression analyses showed that internalized autism-related stigma, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness were each positively associated with stress and negatively associated with life satisfaction. Mediation analyses indicated that both types of loneliness partially mediated the relationship between internalized autism-related stigma and these outcomes. Supporting the PMF, the findings suggest that autism-related stigmas may become internalized and be associated with loneliness, which is linked to greater stress and lower life satisfaction. Future studies should build upon the PMF and explore strategies to mitigate underlying minority stressors.Lay Abstract Understanding stress and life satisfaction in autistic adults with the psychological mediation frameworkWhy was this study done?Autistic adults often experience higher levels of stress and lower life satisfaction than non-autistic adults. Recently, research has suggested that these experiences are linked to them being part of a minority group—autistic people. Minorities often experience extra stress from experiences like stigma, sometimes called minority stressors. A theoretical model, the Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF), describes how minority stressors are linked to differences in people’s thoughts, emotions, and feelings. This study examined whether the PMF can also help explain the stress and life satisfaction of autistic adults. We did this by testing whether two important parts of the PMF, internalized autism-related stigma (negative beliefs about being autistic) and loneliness, were linked to their stress and life satisfaction (how content people feel with their lives overall).What did we do?We analyzed data from 831 autistic adults who filled out a survey. In our statistical models (mathematical analyses that test how variables are related), we took into account other factors that are more commonly used to examine which factors were statistically associated with stress and life satisfaction in autistic adults, such as the level of characteristics related to autism and education level. By doing this, we increased the chance that any relationships we found could be attributed to minority stressors.What did we find?Autistic adults who experienced more internalized autism-related stigma, emotional loneliness (feeling disconnected from close relationships), and social loneliness (lacking a broader social network) reported higher stress levels and lower life satisfaction. We also found that autistic adults with more internalized stigma felt lonelier, and this loneliness was linked to higher stress and lower life satisfaction.What do the findings mean?The results suggest that autistic adults may internalize autism-related stigmas, which are linked to greater loneliness, higher stress, and lower life satisfaction. As these findings align with the PMF, we believe future studies should continue using this model. Also, we recommend that researchers should study ways to reduce minority stressors and improve the mental health of autistic adults. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613261446876 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=586

Loud and proud: Collective self-esteem is negatively associated with internalized stigma and minority stress. A mixed methods study of intersectional stigma among queer autistic adults from Poland / Anna PYSZKOWSKA in Research in Autism, 130 (February 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism > 130 (February 2026) . - p.202781 Titre : Loud and proud: Collective self-esteem is negatively associated with internalized stigma and minority stress. A mixed methods study of intersectional stigma among queer autistic adults from Poland Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Anna PYSZKOWSKA, Auteur ; Ari NOWACKI, Auteur ; Franciszek STEFANEK, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.202781 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Autism  Queer  Intersectional stigma  Collective self-esteem  Minority stress  Internalized stigma Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Previous research shows a significant prevalence of autistic individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or queer when compared to neurotypical peers. Both these populations may experience discrimination and stigma; therefore, autistic members of the LGBTQ+ community may experience intersectional stigma (having multiple marginalized identities) or invisibility (being omitted from the discourse). However, being a part of a minority group may lead to developing collective self-esteem, including pride and acceptance. Additionally, using symbols may be a significant communication tool among autistic individuals. The current study aimed to identify: 1) quantitative links between intersectional stigma (queer minority stress and internalized autism stigma), social camouflaging, collective self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and 2) qualitative themes regarding wearing visible queer symbols in an adult LGBTQ+ autistic population from Poland. One hundred thirty-four persons (including 59.70 % women) participated in the study, consisting of seven quantitative measurements and nine open-ended questions. Autism-related internalized stigma and queer minority stress exhibited significant associations, while life satisfaction was correlated with diminished internalized stigma and minority stress, higher collective self-esteem, and stigma resistance. 42.53 % of the respondents declared wearing visible queer symbols in public and answered open-ended questions that were thematically analyzed. Five themes were developed to capture their experiences, e.g., positive and negative aspects, symbols as social signaling, and community building. Lived experiences highlighted the significance of signaling one’s queer identity to their self-esteem, sense of pride, and as a tool for social communication. These qualitative results align with quantitative ones, deepening our understanding of queer autistic community. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202781 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=579 [article] Loud and proud: Collective self-esteem is negatively associated with internalized stigma and minority stress. A mixed methods study of intersectional stigma among queer autistic adults from Poland [texte imprimé] / Anna PYSZKOWSKA, Auteur ; Ari NOWACKI, Auteur ; Franciszek STEFANEK, Auteur . - p.202781. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Research in Autism > 130 (February 2026) . - p.202781 Mots-clés : Autism  Queer  Intersectional stigma  Collective self-esteem  Minority stress  Internalized stigma Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Previous research shows a significant prevalence of autistic individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ or queer when compared to neurotypical peers. Both these populations may experience discrimination and stigma; therefore, autistic members of the LGBTQ+ community may experience intersectional stigma (having multiple marginalized identities) or invisibility (being omitted from the discourse). However, being a part of a minority group may lead to developing collective self-esteem, including pride and acceptance. Additionally, using symbols may be a significant communication tool among autistic individuals. The current study aimed to identify: 1) quantitative links between intersectional stigma (queer minority stress and internalized autism stigma), social camouflaging, collective self-esteem, and life satisfaction, and 2) qualitative themes regarding wearing visible queer symbols in an adult LGBTQ+ autistic population from Poland. One hundred thirty-four persons (including 59.70 % women) participated in the study, consisting of seven quantitative measurements and nine open-ended questions. Autism-related internalized stigma and queer minority stress exhibited significant associations, while life satisfaction was correlated with diminished internalized stigma and minority stress, higher collective self-esteem, and stigma resistance. 42.53 % of the respondents declared wearing visible queer symbols in public and answered open-ended questions that were thematically analyzed. Five themes were developed to capture their experiences, e.g., positive and negative aspects, symbols as social signaling, and community building. Lived experiences highlighted the significance of signaling one’s queer identity to their self-esteem, sense of pride, and as a tool for social communication. These qualitative results align with quantitative ones, deepening our understanding of queer autistic community. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202781 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=579

Self-reported masking in sexual minority and heterosexual autistic adults / Goldie A. MCQUAID in Autism, 29-8 (August 2025)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 29-8 (August 2025) . - p.2137-2150 Titre : Self-reported masking in sexual minority and heterosexual autistic adults Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy R. LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.2137-2150 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : autism  masking  minority stress  sexual minority Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Masking can include suppressing or concealing certain behaviors to appear "non-autistic" and is one response to the excess social stressors of being a neurominority in a neurotypical-majority society. It is important to understand how persons who are multiply marginalized (e.g. an autistic person assigned female sex at birth who is bisexual), who experience multiple layers of excess social stressors, may face additional pressures to conceal their authentic selves. Autistic persons may be more likely than neurotypical persons to identify with a sexual minority orientation, such as asexual, bisexual, gay or pansexual. To advance our understanding of how marginalized identities may be associated with masking, we examined self-reported masking using the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire in a sample of autistic adults (N = 462). After matching participants for assigned sex at birth and age, and after controlling for these effects in modeling, we found that sexual minority autistic adults reported significantly higher levels of masking relative to heterosexual autistic adults. We situate these findings within literatures on masking, minority stress, and stigma.Lay Abstract Masking can include hiding certain behaviors to appear "non-autistic." Masking is one response to the stress of being autistic in a non-autistic world. Being autistic is only one part of someone?s identity, though. Other parts of a person s identity include things like a person s sexual orientation. Autistic people are more likely than non-autistic people to have a sexual orientation other than heterosexual, like asexual, bisexual, gay, or pansexual. People who are both autistic and a sexual minority may experience social stress because of different pressures from society. These different pressures may mean sexual minority autistic adults feel pressured to social camouflage more than heterosexual autistic adults. Thus, we compared masking in sexual minority autistic and heterosexual autistic adults. In the statistical models, we controlled for two other factors that may impact masking: sex assigned at birth and age. We found that sexual minority autistic adults reported significantly higher levels of masking relative to heterosexual autistic adults. We discuss how these findings fit within previous research on masking and minority stress. En ligne : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13623613251335738 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=564 [article] Self-reported masking in sexual minority and heterosexual autistic adults [texte imprimé] / Goldie A. MCQUAID, Auteur ; Nancy R. LEE, Auteur ; Gregory L. WALLACE, Auteur . - p.2137-2150. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 29-8 (August 2025) . - p.2137-2150 Mots-clés : autism  masking  minority stress  sexual minority Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Masking can include suppressing or concealing certain behaviors to appear "non-autistic" and is one response to the excess social stressors of being a neurominority in a neurotypical-majority society. It is important to understand how persons who are multiply marginalized (e.g. an autistic person assigned female sex at birth who is bisexual), who experience multiple layers of excess social stressors, may face additional pressures to conceal their authentic selves. Autistic persons may be more likely than neurotypical persons to identify with a sexual minority orientation, such as asexual, bisexual, gay or pansexual. To advance our understanding of how marginalized identities may be associated with masking, we examined self-reported masking using the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire in a sample of autistic adults (N = 462). After matching participants for assigned sex at birth and age, and after controlling for these effects in modeling, we found that sexual minority autistic adults reported significantly higher levels of masking relative to heterosexual autistic adults. We situate these findings within literatures on masking, minority stress, and stigma.Lay Abstract Masking can include hiding certain behaviors to appear "non-autistic." Masking is one response to the stress of being autistic in a non-autistic world. Being autistic is only one part of someone?s identity, though. Other parts of a person s identity include things like a person s sexual orientation. Autistic people are more likely than non-autistic people to have a sexual orientation other than heterosexual, like asexual, bisexual, gay, or pansexual. People who are both autistic and a sexual minority may experience social stress because of different pressures from society. These different pressures may mean sexual minority autistic adults feel pressured to social camouflage more than heterosexual autistic adults. Thus, we compared masking in sexual minority autistic and heterosexual autistic adults. In the statistical models, we controlled for two other factors that may impact masking: sex assigned at birth and age. We found that sexual minority autistic adults reported significantly higher levels of masking relative to heterosexual autistic adults. We discuss how these findings fit within previous research on masking and minority stress. En ligne : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/13623613251335738 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=564

Individual, social, and life course risk factors for experiencing interpersonal violence among autistic people of varying gender identities: A mixed methods systematic review / Kathryn RIDGWAY ; Laura A. PECORA ; Elizabeth WESTRUPP ; Darren HEDLEY ; Merrilyn HOOLEY ; Mark A. STOKES in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 111 (March 2024)  

Public ISBD [article]  inResearch in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 111 (March 2024) . - p.102313 Titre : Individual, social, and life course risk factors for experiencing interpersonal violence among autistic people of varying gender identities: A mixed methods systematic review Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Kathryn RIDGWAY, Auteur ; Laura A. PECORA, Auteur ; Elizabeth WESTRUPP, Auteur ; Darren HEDLEY, Auteur ; Merrilyn HOOLEY, Auteur ; Mark A. STOKES, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.102313 Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Violence  Minority stress  Intersectionality  Risk factors  Systematic review Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Interpersonal violence is a widespread yet understudied issue in autism spectrum disorder (henceforth, ?autism?). Characteristic of autism are high rates of gender diversity, and so increased multiple minority group membership. Under minority stress and intersectionality models, minority identity presents greater risk of violence, while demographic variables (e.g., gender, sexuality, race) add to marginalisation and intersect to further enhance risk. However, research investigating risk and contextual predictors has been limited. This review examined individual, social, and life course risk factors associated with experiences of interpersonal violence among autistic people of varying gender identities. Methods A systematic database search identified 59 studies examining violence: (1) combined physical, sexual, and/or psychological; (2) physical; (3) sexual; (4) psychological; (5) traditional bullying; (6) cyberbullying; and (7) homicide among autistic people of any age and support needs, varying by gender. Final included studies comprised 42,251 autistic (65.79% males, 32.91% females, 0.14% transgender, 0.69% non-binary/gender queer, 0.002% intersex, 0.46% gender n/s), and 269,433 non-autistic participants (32.57% males, 64.45% females, 0.006% non-binary/gender queer, 2.98% gender n/s), aged 2 81 years. Results Narrative synthesis of the 59 studies showed a consistent pattern of increased rates of overall and repeated violence across the life course among autistic compared to non-autistic people. Intersectional risk was identified across all socio-ecological levels: individual (e.g., autism-related factors, age, mental health, gender, demographic diversity); proximal social (e.g., parents, peers, partners), community (e.g., home, school, healthcare, police interaction), and broader social (e.g., safety education, violence prevention/support services, specialised care/training, public stigma). Conclusions Our review indicates that interpersonal violence is a common issue for autistic people, who experience enhanced risk victimisation across the life course, particularly among multiply marginalised people (i.e., gender, race, sexuality, mental health). Our review underscores the importance of examining violence from an intersectionality and minority stress perspective and across socio-ecological contexts, and provides important empirical, legal, and policy implications. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102313 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=521 [article] Individual, social, and life course risk factors for experiencing interpersonal violence among autistic people of varying gender identities: A mixed methods systematic review [texte imprimé] / Kathryn RIDGWAY, Auteur ; Laura A. PECORA, Auteur ; Elizabeth WESTRUPP, Auteur ; Darren HEDLEY, Auteur ; Merrilyn HOOLEY, Auteur ; Mark A. STOKES, Auteur . - p.102313. in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders > 111 (March 2024) . - p.102313 Mots-clés : Autism spectrum disorder  Violence  Minority stress  Intersectionality  Risk factors  Systematic review Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background Interpersonal violence is a widespread yet understudied issue in autism spectrum disorder (henceforth, ?autism?). Characteristic of autism are high rates of gender diversity, and so increased multiple minority group membership. Under minority stress and intersectionality models, minority identity presents greater risk of violence, while demographic variables (e.g., gender, sexuality, race) add to marginalisation and intersect to further enhance risk. However, research investigating risk and contextual predictors has been limited. This review examined individual, social, and life course risk factors associated with experiences of interpersonal violence among autistic people of varying gender identities. Methods A systematic database search identified 59 studies examining violence: (1) combined physical, sexual, and/or psychological; (2) physical; (3) sexual; (4) psychological; (5) traditional bullying; (6) cyberbullying; and (7) homicide among autistic people of any age and support needs, varying by gender. Final included studies comprised 42,251 autistic (65.79% males, 32.91% females, 0.14% transgender, 0.69% non-binary/gender queer, 0.002% intersex, 0.46% gender n/s), and 269,433 non-autistic participants (32.57% males, 64.45% females, 0.006% non-binary/gender queer, 2.98% gender n/s), aged 2 81 years. Results Narrative synthesis of the 59 studies showed a consistent pattern of increased rates of overall and repeated violence across the life course among autistic compared to non-autistic people. Intersectional risk was identified across all socio-ecological levels: individual (e.g., autism-related factors, age, mental health, gender, demographic diversity); proximal social (e.g., parents, peers, partners), community (e.g., home, school, healthcare, police interaction), and broader social (e.g., safety education, violence prevention/support services, specialised care/training, public stigma). Conclusions Our review indicates that interpersonal violence is a common issue for autistic people, who experience enhanced risk victimisation across the life course, particularly among multiply marginalised people (i.e., gender, race, sexuality, mental health). Our review underscores the importance of examining violence from an intersectionality and minority stress perspective and across socio-ecological contexts, and provides important empirical, legal, and policy implications. En ligne : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102313 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=521

Understanding autistic identity contingencies: The chain mediation effect of autism acceptance and loneliness in ableist microaggressions and social camouflage / Siqing GUAN in Autism, 30-2 (February 2026)  

Public ISBD [article]  inAutism > 30-2 (February 2026) . - p.466-483 Titre : Understanding autistic identity contingencies: The chain mediation effect of autism acceptance and loneliness in ableist microaggressions and social camouflage Type de document : texte imprimé Auteurs : Siqing GUAN, Auteur ; Fumito TAKAHASHI, Auteur ; Makoto WADA, Auteur ; Hikari N. TAKASHINA, Auteur ; Midori UEDA, Auteur ; Masamitsu KAWASHIMA, Auteur ; Yasuo KAWAGUCHI, Auteur ; Takeo KATO, Auteur ; Shinichiro OGAWA, Auteur ; Kenji TSUCHIYA, Auteur ; Fumiyo OSHIMA, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.466-483 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Ableism  Social camouflage  Social identity  Autistic identity contingencies  Minority stress  Microaggression  Autism acceptance  Loneliness  Interpersonal environmental factors  Adults Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Ableist microaggressions—subtle forms of disability-based discrimination—constitute a key minority stressor. Amplified by autistic identity contingencies that shape how autistic identity is judged and treated in social contexts, these factors drive social camouflage in autistic adults, compelling them to conceal autistic characteristics for adapting to non-autistic groups, often resulting in negative mental health outcomes. This study proposes a novel autistic identity contingencies model to explore how autism acceptance and loneliness mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage. An online survey of 330 autistic adults was conducted, followed by hierarchical multiple regression and chain mediation analyses. Results revealed that, ableist microaggressions positively predicted three social camouflage phenotypes: compensation, masking, and assimilation, with loneliness also positively predicting assimilation. Furthermore, after controlling for personal attributes, general stress and mental health conditions, lower external autism acceptance and higher loneliness mediated the positive relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, whereas internal autism acceptance showed no significant effect. Assimilation is uniquely shaped by social autistic identity threats and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. These findings highlight social camouflage as responses to minority stressors driven by social autistic identity contingencies, rooted in stigmatised behaviours rather than in stigmatised personal autistic identity.Lay Abstract Society’s perceptions of autism, reflected in subtle discrimination against autistic people, cause autistic adults to hide their true selves. They may hide their autistic traits to fit in with others, especially in groups that do not understand autism. Although this can help autistic people be accepted, it often leads to exhaustion and problems with mental health. However, the invisible ways in which autistic adults are judged and treated in daily social activities and how this impacts their strategies for camouflaging their autistic traits is poorly understood. This study examined the effects of feeling accepted as an autistic person, either by oneself or by others, and experiencing loneliness on how autistic adults camouflage being autistic when facing subtle discrimination related to their disability status. We surveyed 330 autistic adults using online questionnaires. After accounting for personal differences, subtle discrimination was positively associated with three camouflaging strategies: compensating for social challenges, covering up differences, and blending in with others. Feeling lonely was also positively associated with blending in with others. Additionally, after accounting for personal differences, stress levels, and mental health, feeling accepted by others as an autistic person and feeling lonely affected how subtle discrimination led to blending in with others. However, self-acceptance of being autistic was not associated with this relationship.This suggests that treatment by others shapes autistic adults’ need to hide their identity more than their self-acceptance of being autistic. Therefore, addressing how autistic adults are judged and treated in daily social activities is more critical than focusing on personal change. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613251389876 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=579 [article] Understanding autistic identity contingencies: The chain mediation effect of autism acceptance and loneliness in ableist microaggressions and social camouflage [texte imprimé] / Siqing GUAN, Auteur ; Fumito TAKAHASHI, Auteur ; Makoto WADA, Auteur ; Hikari N. TAKASHINA, Auteur ; Midori UEDA, Auteur ; Masamitsu KAWASHIMA, Auteur ; Yasuo KAWAGUCHI, Auteur ; Takeo KATO, Auteur ; Shinichiro OGAWA, Auteur ; Kenji TSUCHIYA, Auteur ; Fumiyo OSHIMA, Auteur . - p.466-483. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Autism > 30-2 (February 2026) . - p.466-483 Mots-clés : Ableism  Social camouflage  Social identity  Autistic identity contingencies  Minority stress  Microaggression  Autism acceptance  Loneliness  Interpersonal environmental factors  Adults Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Ableist microaggressions—subtle forms of disability-based discrimination—constitute a key minority stressor. Amplified by autistic identity contingencies that shape how autistic identity is judged and treated in social contexts, these factors drive social camouflage in autistic adults, compelling them to conceal autistic characteristics for adapting to non-autistic groups, often resulting in negative mental health outcomes. This study proposes a novel autistic identity contingencies model to explore how autism acceptance and loneliness mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage. An online survey of 330 autistic adults was conducted, followed by hierarchical multiple regression and chain mediation analyses. Results revealed that, ableist microaggressions positively predicted three social camouflage phenotypes: compensation, masking, and assimilation, with loneliness also positively predicting assimilation. Furthermore, after controlling for personal attributes, general stress and mental health conditions, lower external autism acceptance and higher loneliness mediated the positive relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, whereas internal autism acceptance showed no significant effect. Assimilation is uniquely shaped by social autistic identity threats and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. These findings highlight social camouflage as responses to minority stressors driven by social autistic identity contingencies, rooted in stigmatised behaviours rather than in stigmatised personal autistic identity.Lay Abstract Society’s perceptions of autism, reflected in subtle discrimination against autistic people, cause autistic adults to hide their true selves. They may hide their autistic traits to fit in with others, especially in groups that do not understand autism. Although this can help autistic people be accepted, it often leads to exhaustion and problems with mental health. However, the invisible ways in which autistic adults are judged and treated in daily social activities and how this impacts their strategies for camouflaging their autistic traits is poorly understood. This study examined the effects of feeling accepted as an autistic person, either by oneself or by others, and experiencing loneliness on how autistic adults camouflage being autistic when facing subtle discrimination related to their disability status. We surveyed 330 autistic adults using online questionnaires. After accounting for personal differences, subtle discrimination was positively associated with three camouflaging strategies: compensating for social challenges, covering up differences, and blending in with others. Feeling lonely was also positively associated with blending in with others. Additionally, after accounting for personal differences, stress levels, and mental health, feeling accepted by others as an autistic person and feeling lonely affected how subtle discrimination led to blending in with others. However, self-acceptance of being autistic was not associated with this relationship.This suggests that treatment by others shapes autistic adults’ need to hide their identity more than their self-acceptance of being autistic. Therefore, addressing how autistic adults are judged and treated in daily social activities is more critical than focusing on personal change. En ligne : https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613251389876 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=579