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. 2021 Dec 16:9:e12591.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.12591. eCollection 2021.

Self-stigma and cognitive fusion in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The moderating role of self-compassion

Anna Pyszkowska  1 , Krzysztof Rożnawski  1 , Zuzanna Farny  1
Affiliations

Self-stigma and cognitive fusion in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The moderating role of self-compassion

Anna Pyszkowska et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Background: Research shows that people with autism spectrum disorder and their families often experience social stigma. The internalization of social stigma can lead to the occurrence of self-stigma, understood as an internalized cognitive-affective self-directed and rigid process that results in individuals agreeing with stigmatizing opinions and applying them to themselves. Experiencing self-stigma can lead to a cognitive fusion with negative thoughts-especially those about oneself. Previous studies show that self-compassion reduces feelings of suffering, shame and self-stigma in a group of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this study was to test the relationship between self-stigma and cognitive fusion among parents of children with ASD. The moderating role of self-compassion as a protective factor was also verified.

Methods: The following questionnaires were used: Perceived Public Stigma Scale, Perceived Courtesy Stigma Scale, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. The study included 233 Polish parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (including 218 women).

Results: The results showed a positive correlation between fusion and both affiliate (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and public stigma (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). Fusion and self-compassion were significant predictors of affiliate stigma. Self-compassion moderated the relationship between fusion and depression (β = -0.11, p < 0.05) and the relationship between fusion and stress (β = -0.11, p < 0.05). Cognitive fusion with negative beliefs about oneself can contribute to self-stigma. Defusion-oriented actions are an opportunity to distance oneself from emerging thoughts and eliminate their negative consequences. Self-compassion manifests itself in a compassionate and accepting attitude towards oneself and improves the individual's well-being. Actions taken to strengthen the indicated factors could contribute to a better quality of life of parents of children with ASD.

Keywords: Cognitive fusion; Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder; Self-compassion; Self-stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Simple slope test, moderating effect of self-compassion between fusion and depression.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Simple slope test, moderating effect of self-compassion between affiliate stigma and stress.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Simple slope test, moderating effect of self-compassion between fusion and depression.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Simple slope test, moderating effect of self-compassion between fusion and stress.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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