TY - JOUR

T1 - How is psychological wellbeing experienced by autistic women? Challenges and protective factors

T2 - A meta-synthesis

AU - Yau, Natalie

AU - Anderson, Sonia

AU - Smith, Ian

PY - 2023/4/30

Y1 - 2023/4/30

N2 - Background: Autistic women are at higher risks of experiencing mental health difficulties and suicidal behaviours than the general population. However, there are barriers to diagnostic assessmentsand mental health support reported by autistic women. To date, there is little research into how psychological wellness is experienced by autistic women. Therefore, the aim of thismeta-synthesis was to explore this.Method: A systematic literature review of existing qualitative studies was carried out. Twelve papers met the inclusion criteria for this review; the findings of which were collated and synthesisedusing a seven-step meta-ethnographic approach from which three themes emerged.Results: Three themes were generated from the 12 qualitative studies: (1) “I tend to fall between the cracks": misunderstood and ostracised; (2) "The hidden hurt"; and (3) having to meet theexpectations of others. There are important findings from the meta-synthesis which suggest there are increased risks of exploitation for autistic women. Furthermore, social camouflaging in addition to societal, cultural, and gendered expectations can have detrimental influences on psychological wellbeing for autistic women. However, mutual acceptance, belonging, and supportwere identified as protective factors of psychological wellbeing.Conclusions: Increased knowledge and training for professionals supporting autistic women is needed, particularly during different life stages such as the peri- and postnatal period and themenopause. There is also a need to promote better awareness of safe relationships to reduce risks of abuse and exploitation for autistic women. Adaptations to communication, cognitive andsensory challenges, and psychological therapy are also suggested.

AB - Background: Autistic women are at higher risks of experiencing mental health difficulties and suicidal behaviours than the general population. However, there are barriers to diagnostic assessmentsand mental health support reported by autistic women. To date, there is little research into how psychological wellness is experienced by autistic women. Therefore, the aim of thismeta-synthesis was to explore this.Method: A systematic literature review of existing qualitative studies was carried out. Twelve papers met the inclusion criteria for this review; the findings of which were collated and synthesisedusing a seven-step meta-ethnographic approach from which three themes emerged.Results: Three themes were generated from the 12 qualitative studies: (1) “I tend to fall between the cracks": misunderstood and ostracised; (2) "The hidden hurt"; and (3) having to meet theexpectations of others. There are important findings from the meta-synthesis which suggest there are increased risks of exploitation for autistic women. Furthermore, social camouflaging in addition to societal, cultural, and gendered expectations can have detrimental influences on psychological wellbeing for autistic women. However, mutual acceptance, belonging, and supportwere identified as protective factors of psychological wellbeing.Conclusions: Increased knowledge and training for professionals supporting autistic women is needed, particularly during different life stages such as the peri- and postnatal period and themenopause. There is also a need to promote better awareness of safe relationships to reduce risks of abuse and exploitation for autistic women. Adaptations to communication, cognitive andsensory challenges, and psychological therapy are also suggested.

KW - Women

KW - Autism

KW - Mental Health

KW - Psychological Wellbeing

U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102101

DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.102101

M3 - Literature review

VL - 102

JO - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

JF - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

SN - 1750-9467

M1 - 102101

ER -