We explored the role of negative performance beliefs and self-focused attention considered central to psychological models of social anxiety but not studied in autism. Firstly, we compared self- and observer ratings of performance on a social task for 71 young autistic people, 41 high and 30 low in social anxiety, finding a significant main effect of social anxiety but not rater. Subsequently, 76 autistic young people, 46 high and 30 low social anxiety completed measures of interoceptive sensibility and focus of attention following a social task. Only heightened interoceptive sensibility fully mediated the relationship between self-ratings of social performance and social anxiety. These findings suggest awareness of bodily sensations are critical to anxiety in social situations with implications for treatment.
Index Offence Assessment and Formulation (IOAF) helps service users (SU) in secure units to make sense of their Index Offence, provides detailed understanding of risk and contributes to treatment planning and discharge decisions. Clinical Psychologists' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to engaging SUs in IOAF within the Men's and Women's services of one medium secure unit were explored through focus groups. Thematic analysis identified two relevant domains: person-specific factors and the organisational context. Person-specific barriers included challenges in working with fragmented narratives, conflicting motivations to engage, service-user defences, and distorted perceptions of Clinical Psychologists' roles. Giving clarity and choice to SUs facilitated engagement with the work. Regarding the organisational context, Clinical Psychologists within both services identified the importance of having adequate resources and care-team support to complete this work. Findings highlight the importance of developing an evidence-based framework for IOAF to be embedded within clear 'risk' care pathways through secure services.
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