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. 2022 Feb;52(2):800-810.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-04987-w. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Understanding Camouflaging as a Response to Autism-Related Stigma: A Social Identity Theory Approach

Ella Perry  1 , William Mandy  2 , Laura Hull  2 , Eilidh Cage  3   4
Affiliations

Understanding Camouflaging as a Response to Autism-Related Stigma: A Social Identity Theory Approach

Ella Perry et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Camouflaging refers to strategies used by autistic people to mask or hide social difficulties. The current study draws on Social Identity Theory to examine the relationship between camouflaging and autism-related stigma, testing the hypothesis that camouflaging represents an individualistic strategy in response to stigma. Two hundred and twenty-three autistic adults completed an online survey measuring perceived autism-related stigma, individualistic and collective strategies, camouflaging and mental wellbeing. Results indicated that higher camouflaging was positively associated with autism-related stigma and both individualistic and collective strategy use. Autism-related stigma was associated with lower wellbeing however this relationship was not mediated by camouflaging. These findings demonstrate how stigma contributes to camouflaging and highlight the complexities of navigating autistic identity while still camouflaging.

Keywords: Autistic identity; Camouflaging; Psychological wellbeing; Social Identity Theory; Stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Partial regression plots showing: a The relationship between stigma and camouflaging total scores. b The relationship between individualistic strategy and camouflaging total scores. c The relationship between collective strategy and camouflaging total scores
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mediation model examining the relationships between stigma, camouflaging and wellbeing. *p = 0.012, **p = 0.002, ***p < 0.001
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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