Personal Identity After an Autism Diagnosis: Relationships With Self-Esteem, Mental Wellbeing, and Diagnostic Timing

Abstract

Adults are increasingly seeking autism diagnoses, although less is known about their experiences of diagnosis and personal identity (i.e., autism as part of “me”), and how this relates to self-esteem and wellbeing. One-hundred and fifty-one autistic adults completed an online survey including measures of self-esteem, psychological wellbeing, and autistic personal identity, which considered whether participants took pride in or were dissatisfied with being autistic. Fifty-four participants answered a qualitative question about the impact of receiving an autism diagnosis on their sense of self. Regression analyses found that greater time elapsed since diagnosis related to less dissatisfaction with autistic personal identity. We also found that more dissatisfaction with autistic personal identity predicted lower self-esteem, and more autism pride predicted higher self-esteem. Content analysis of participants’ experiences supported the quantitative findings and was suggestive of an emotive post-diagnostic adjustment process. Future research should aim to identify ways to promote the development of a positive autistic personal identity post-diagnosis in adulthood.

“Peas in a pod”: Oral History Reflections on Autistic Identity in Family and Community by Late-Diagnosed Adults

“…It is important to note here that the self-knowledge of being autistic was presented as a protective factor in the context of mental health struggles and, conversely, not knowing one is autistic as a substantial risk factor. This position broadly supports research findings that autistic identity and greater personal autism acceptance can act as a protective factor against mental health difficulties (Cage et al, 2018;Cooper et al, 2017;Corden et al, 2021).…”

Brief Report: Does Autistic Community Connectedness Moderate the Relationship Between Masking and Wellbeing?

“…Since those with higher ACC did experience higher wellbeing overall, this finding shows that ACC still has considerable benefits, and we should continue to find ways to support autistic people to access and explore the autistic community. While previous research has focused on a social identity approach, and the benefits of a strong autistic identity, [27][28][29] our research shows how ACC and involvement with the community can predict better mental wellbeing. For example, this involvement could be achieved through online spaces or local, in-person community groups.…”

“…Having a strong sense of autistic personal and/or social identity has been related to more positive wellbeing and self-esteem. [27][28][29] Other studies also show how autistic people derive joy from friendships with other autistic people 30 and experience good rapport together. 31 Given these potential benefits of the autistic community for wellbeing, it is worth investigating whether ACC can buffer against the negative impacts of masking.…”

“A Group of Fellow Travellers Who Understand”: Interviews With Autistic People About Post-diagnostic Peer Support in Adulthood

“…Being part of a community can help in developing a sense of acceptance and pride ( Davies, 1996 ), and thus engagement with other autistic people may be beneficial ( Skirrow and Farrington, 2008 ; Punshon et al, 2009 ). Recent research has found specifically that self-acceptance and pride in being neurodivergent ( Milton and Sims, 2016 ; Gillespie-Lynch et al, 2017 ) is linked to lower depression scores ( Cage et al, 2018 ), and higher self-esteem ( Corden et al, 2021 ) and feeling part of an autistic community reduces suicide risk ( Cassidy et al, 2018 ). There has been a call for research that identifies ways of promoting the development of a positive autistic identity following a diagnosis in adulthood ( Corden et al, 2021 ; Maitland et al, 2021 ).…”