Autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion and receiving their diagnosis in adulthood

Wilson, Rosemarie B., Thompson, Andrew R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6788-7222, Rowse, Georgina, Smith, Richard, Dugdale, Amber-Sophie and Freeth, Megan 2023. Autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion and receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Autism 27 (5) , pp. 1336-1347. 10.1177/13623613221136752

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Abstract

Knowledge of autistic individuals’ experiences of self-compassion is very limited. This study investigated autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion after receiving their diagnosis in adulthood. Eleven autistic women completed semi-structured interviews analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three super-ordinate themes were identified: ‘Disconnect between the autistic self and experience of societal expectations’ (the burden of conformity; autism is misunderstood; social challenges; mental health impact); ‘Unmasking: the process of self-understanding’ (autonomy and self-compassion; validation and grief) and ‘Impact on relationships’ (diagnosis disclosure dilemmas; connection and understanding). Frustration with society’s misconceptions of autism and unhelpful thinking styles were presented as barriers to self-compassion. Most participants reported that their diagnosis had led to the development of a greater sense of self-understanding, which facilitated self-compassion. Some participants suggested their own increased understanding of autism facilitated their compassion towards others. Findings from this study have clinical implications for increasing understanding about autistic women’s experiences of self-compassion and possibly ways to facilitate its development, to enhance well-being.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
ISSN:	1362-3613
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	10 October 2022
Date of Acceptance:	6 October 2022
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2023 01:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/153280

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