Social anxiety in adults with autism: a qualitative study

Spain, Debbie; Yarar, Esra; Happé, Francesca

doi:10.1080/17482631.2020.1803669

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Negative emotions accompanied these hypersensitivities, most often fear and anger but also anxiety (Acker et al, 2018; Ashburner et al, 2013; Jones et al, 2003; Spain et al, 2020), irritability and sadness (Landon et al, 2016; A. E. Robertson & Simmons, 2015; Robledo et al, 2012; Smith & Sharp, 2013).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies insisted on the uncontrollable aspects of sensory experiences. An uncontrolled environment thus promoted anxiety (Acker et al, 2018; Spain et al, 2020), while sudden or unexpected sensory changes increased sensitivity (Kirby et al, 2015; Smith & Sharp, 2013), and auditory experiences, frequently described as inevitable, were associated with intensive aversive reactions (Ashburner et al, 2013; Chamak et al, 2008; Elwin et al, 2012; Knott & Taylor, 2014; Landon et al, 2016; A. E. Robertson & Simmons, 2015; Smith & Sharp, 2013).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The sensory experiences of autistic people: A metasynthesis

Sibéoni

Massoutier

Valette

et al. 2022

Autism

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Qualitative literature reports the sensory experiences of autistic individuals in the first person. Following a thematic synthesis procedure, this metasynthesis aimed to explore specifically the lived experience of these sensory features. Four databases were systematically searched for qualitative studies describing sensory issues reported by autistic individuals. Article quality was assessed with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. Thematic analysis was used to identify and synthesise key themes. The 32 articles included reported data from 430 participants. Data analysis produced two themes structuring the sensory experiences of autistic people: (1) the everyday experience through body, thoughts and emotions, and (2) the relational experience, relationships being experienced as both a problem and a solution. Four dimensions are found in our results: physical, emotional, relational and social. Whereas a scientific approach to the sensory experience of autistic people is based on a cause–effect model, our results suggest that autistic people experience these dimensions holistically, as inseparable, and not in terms of cause and effect. This original finding brings new research perspectives, beyond the dichotomy between sensory features and social communications issues, and concrete implications within the health care system to provide more effective and respectful care to autistic people. Lay abstract Sensory atypicalities are very common among autistic people and are integrated in several theories and explanatory models of autism. Qualitative studies have explored these singular sensory experiences from the perspectives of autistic people themselves. This article gathers all these qualitative studies and provides original findings regarding the everyday sensory experience of autistic people, that is, around four dimensions – physical, emotional, relational and social – experienced holistically, as inseparable, and not hierarchically or in terms of cause and effect. Adopting this holistic view could improve the adaptation of the sensory environment in health care facilities and the training of professionals around this specific issue.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The sensory experiences of autistic people: A metasynthesis

Sibéoni

Massoutier

Valette

et al. 2022

Autism

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“…As we have shown, these online participants who report elevated internal social di culties (i.e., emotional or cognitive struggles that others may not notice, as described by self-report) also show different social behaviors from those with a clinical diagnosis who show elevated external di culties (i.e., inappropriate actions or visible struggles, as described by clinician-report), suggesting the diagnosis and the dimension are not synonymous. Though ASD is highly comorbid with social anxiety, it is still only represented in less than half of cases 40 , and comorbidity with avoidant personality disorder is even less common 41 . It may be the case that self-reported internal symptoms lack diagnostic speci city, especially at subclinical thresholds, whereas clinicians are able to better assign clinically-signi cant symptoms to separate diagnoses through observing external behaviors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenotypical divergence between self-reported and clinically ascertained autism

Banker,

Schafer,

Harrington

et al. 2024

Preprint

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While allowing for rapid recruitment of large samples, online psychiatric and neurodevelopmental research relies heavily on participants’ self-report of neuropsychiatric symptoms, foregoing the rigorous clinical characterization of laboratory settings. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research is one example where the clinical validity of such an approach remains elusive. Here, we compared participants characterized online via self-reports against in-person participants evaluated by clinicians. Despite having comparable self-reported autism symptoms, the online high-trait group reported significantly more social anxiety and avoidant behavior than in-person ASD subjects. Within the in-person sample, there was no relationship between self-rated and clinician-rated autism symptoms, suggesting these approaches may capture different aspects of ASD. The online high-trait and in-person ASD participants also differed in their behavior in well-validated social decision-making tasks: the in-person group perceived having less social control and acted less affiliative towards virtual characters. Our study aimed to draw comparisons at three levels: methodological platform (online versus in-person), symptom measurement (self- versus clinician-report), and social behavior. We identified a lack of agreement between self- and clinician-rated measures of symptoms and divergent social tendencies in groups ascertained by each method, highlighting the need for differentiation between in-person versus online samples in autism research.

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“…Prior to data collection it was estimated that between 6 and 15 participants would be required to reach data saturation. This estimation was based on qualitative interviews conducted in similar areas (Cheak-Zamora & Odunleye, 2022 ; Halim et al, 2018 ; Spain et al, 2020 ). Following each interview, researchers carefeully reflected upon and discussed key discussions arising from each interview and how they added to an undertsanding of the phenomenon, with data collection ceasing at participant 14.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Are You Worried About? Content and Extent of Worry in Autistic Adults

Black

Greenwood

Hwa

et al. 2023

J Autism Dev Disord

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Autistic adults commonly experience anxiety and worry, although knowledge on how worry presents and the content, extent, and experiences among autistic adults is limited. A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was used to explore the presentation and experiences of worry in autistic and non-autistic adults. Quantitative surveys were used to compare the content and extent of worry in autistic adults to non-autistic adults, with semi-structured interviews also conducted with autistic adults to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, impacts and content of worry in autistic adults. Findings indicated that autistic adults demonstrated clinically significant levels of worry which were substantially higher than non-autistic adults. Autistic adults described worry as a cycle of negative thoughts impacting their daily life. Findings indicate that autistic adults may worry more than non-autistic adults, impacting on participation in activities of daily living, sleep, and mental health.

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Social anxiety in adults with autism: a qualitative study

Cited by 23 publications

References 63 publications

The sensory experiences of autistic people: A metasynthesis

The sensory experiences of autistic people: A metasynthesis

Phenotypical divergence between self-reported and clinically ascertained autism

What Are You Worried About? Content and Extent of Worry in Autistic Adults

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