Associations between coping strategies and mental health outcomes in autistic adults

Abstract

Compared to the general population, mental health difficulties are commonly reported in autistic adults. However, the ways in which coping strategies are associated with mental health and well‐being in this population remain unknown. Further, we do not know if, and if so, how these associations might differ to that of non‐autistic adults. In this study, we hypothesized that in both our autistic (N = 255) and non‐autistic (N = 165) adult samples, disengagement coping strategies (e.g., denial) would relate to poorer mental health and well‐being, while engagement coping strategies (e.g., problem solving) would relate to better mental health and well‐being. Regression analyses revealed that higher use of disengagement coping strategies was significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, and lower levels of well‐being in both samples. In contrast, increased use of engagement coping strategies was associated with better well‐being, but only in the autistic sample. Our results contribute to the characterization of negative and positive mental health outcomes in autistic adults from a coping perspective, with potential to offer novel information regarding coping strategies to consider when addressing support options for mental health difficulties in the autistic adult population. Lay Summary Mental health conditions (such as anxiety and depression) and poor well‐being are commonly reported in autistic adults. Research suggests that how one copes with stress is associated with one's mental health and well‐being. However, we have little information about how coping strategies relate to the mental health of autistic adults, and whether this might be different in non‐autistic adults. In this study, we examined the relationship between coping strategies and mental health in a large group of autistic individuals aged 15–80 years. We then compared this with similar aged non‐autistic individuals. We found that in both the autistic and non‐autistic individuals, using more disengagement coping strategies (such as being in denial, blaming oneself) was related to poorer mental health and well‐being. Additionally, using more engagement coping strategies (such as problem solving, acceptance) was related to better mental health and well‐being, but only in the autistic individuals. These results can help inform support services, as they highlight the coping strategies that may need to be focused on (i.e., developing engagement coping strategies and reducing disengagement coping strategies) in order to better support the mental health of autistic individuals.

Coping‐resilience profiles and experiences of stress in autistic adults

“…Beyond this, these profiles can also be useful in providing an initial snapshot of an individual's current repertoire of coping strategies and levels of resilience, subsequently informing more in-depth discussions with them surrounding self-beliefs, experiences of recovery after challenging events, effectiveness of and motivations behind preferred coping strategies, as well as potential barriers which may impede the use of certain coping strategies. It is possible for example, that disengagement coping strategies, which are frequently endorsed in the autistic population (e.g., Muniandy et al, 2022), may be helpful for autistic adults in a way that was not captured in the present study. Indeed, disengaging from stressful encounters, at least briefly, may be beneficial in allowing individuals to avoid further input, stimulation or sensory overload (Crane et al, 2009;Halim et al, 2018).…”

“…How to cite this article: Muniandy, M., Richdale, A. L., & Lawson, L. P. (2022). Coping-resilience profiles and experiences of stress in autistic adults.…”

“…Similarly, resilient individuals, who are likely to have a more optimistic outlook and a stronger belief in their abilities (Schoon & Bynner, 2003 ), have reported higher resistance to stress (Ong & Bergeman, 2004 ), lower perceived and chronic stress, and fewer occurrences of stressful life events (Cowden et al, 2016 ; García‐León et al, 2019 ; Rahimi et al, 2014 ; Wilks, 2008 ). Although higher engagement coping, lower disengagement coping and higher levels of resilience traits have been separately associated with improved outcomes such as better mental health and well‐being in autistic adults (Hwang et al, 2020 ; Muniandy et al, 2022 ), the ways in which coping and resilience may relate to stress in autistic adults have not yet been examined. Given their malleability, coping strategies and resilience may be important resources that can be developed and honed through support and intervention to mitigate some of the stressful encounters faced by autistic individuals.…”

Stress and well‐being in autistic adults: Exploring the moderating role of coping

“…Across autistic and non‐autistic adult samples, increased use of engagement coping strategies has been linked to reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as improved well‐being, positive affect and life satisfaction, whereas disengagement coping has been often related to increased poor mental health, negative affect, distress and reduced well‐being (Compas et al, 2017; Evers et al, 2023; MacCann et al, 2012; Milas et al, 2021; Muniandy et al, 2022a, 2023; Schäfer et al, 2017). Similarly, ER strategies characterised by cognitive reappraisal and emotional suppression have been both positively and negatively associated with symptoms of depression in autistic adolescents and adults (Cai et al, 2018), whereas maladaptive ER cognitive strategies (such as catastrophising and self‐blame) were associated with higher anxiety and depression in both autistic and non‐autistic adults (Bruggink et al, 2016).…”

“…Indeed, coping strategies have been found to differently relate to positive and negative facets of mental health in autistic adults (e.g. Muniandy et al, 2022a, 2023). Further, it is not known if the ways in which coping items were categorised as adaptive and maladaptive in Evers et al best represented the coping responses and patterns of autistic adults.…”