Cited by 25Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

The Inter-Relationship of Emotion Regulation, Self-Compassion, and Mental Health in Autistic Adults

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Cai, Ru Ying, Love, Abigail, Robinson, Ainslie, Gibbs, Vicki·2023·Autism in Adulthood

Abstract

Background: Emotion regulation is one of the key factors that influence mental health outcomes in autistic and nonautistic populations. Recent research has also identified self-compassion as a negative correlate of depression and positive correlate of psychological well-being in autistic adults. Empirical evidence from the general population supports the notion that being kind and compassionate toward oneself during stressful and difficult moments can help with one's ability to regulate negative emotions, which then has flow-on effects on mental health outcomes. However, the inter-relationship between self-compassion, emotion regulation, and mental health has not been examined in autistic samples. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if emotion regulation mediates the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety or depression in a sample of autistic adults. Methods: = 12.62) who had either self-reported a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or self-identified as autistic. They completed an online survey capturing self-compassion, emotion regulation, anxiety, and depression. We hypothesized that emotion regulation would mediate the relationship between self-compassion and anxiety or depression, and self-compassion would not mediate the relationship between emotion regulation and anxiety or depression. Results: As predicted, only emotion regulation mediated the relationship between self-compassion and mental health outcomes. Self-compassion did not mediate the relationship between emotion regulation and mental health outcomes. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence for the role that self-compassion plays in improving emotion regulation and mental health in autistic adults. If this mechanism of emotion regulation mediating the relationship between self-compassion and mental health is consistently found in future studies, then it would be helpful for future research to examine the clinical benefits of including a self-compassion component in emotion regulation interventions to improve mental health outcomes of autistic adults.

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Thompson RA. Emotion regulation and emotional devel- opment. Educational Psychol Rev. 1991;3:269-307.
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  3. Brown L, Houston EE, Amonoo HL, et al. Is Self- compassion associated with sleep quality? A meta-analysis. Mindfulness. 2021;12(5):1-10.
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Authors
Cai, R. Y., Love, A., Robinson, A., & Gibbs, V.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Aspect Research Centre for Autism Practice, Autism Spectrum Australia, Frenchs Forest, Australia.
  • The University of Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Cai, Ru Ying
Venue
Autism in Adulthood
Published
2023-08-30
Volume
5
Issue
3
Pages
335-342
ISSN
  • 2573-9581 (ISSN-L)
  • 2573-959X
OpenAlex
W4318486647
Cited by
25
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 1
FWCI
7.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Autism in Adulthood (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords
self-compassion, emotion regulation, autistic adults, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, mental health, mediation, psychological well-being

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