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Cited by 3Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchFamily and Disability Support ResearchDown syndrome and intellectual disability research

Mental Well-being of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Open access
Rehman, Fouzia, Sajjad, Shahida, Saleem, Saira·2022·Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences
DOI 10.71016/hnjss/cmb4d739
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Abstract

Aim of the Study: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a unique disorder that cannot be easily diagnosed; every individual with autism is different from another individual, and faces different issues in their life span such as lacking in social communication, socialization, cognition, and behavioral issues, etc. These problems may vary from individual to individual and differ in severity level. However, adults with autism tackled more mental health problems in their adulthood as compared to their childhood. For this purpose, it was hypothesized that adults with ASD faced many more mental health issues in their social settings. Methodology: This survey research used a quantitative approach and the data was collected through convenience sampling method. The sample was adults with autism (N=90), having the age ranged from 17 years and above with mild to moderate severity levels and Asperger. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) was used to collect the data, which was analyzed through descriptive statistics and ANOVA test to find the gender differences. Findings: Results showed that adults with ASD faced multifarious mental health problems in different areas of their lives, especially in social settings. Low scores were observed in almost all items of the WEMWBS, which indicates low mental well-being in adults with ASD. Conclusion: The main reason for low mental-health and well-being is stigmatization, isolation, bullying, incantation/black-magic as treatment, etc., instead of medical or therapeutic services. It was recommended that the barrier of stigma should be removed through awareness related programs at different governmental levels, elementary level at school and start campaigns through media.

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  • Societal issues such as stigmatisation, lack of acceptance, insufficient understanding, bullying, and social trauma contribute significantly to the development of comorbidities in autistic individuals.

    “In addition to social camouflaging, societal issues contribute significantly to the development of comorbidities in autistic individuals.These include societal stigmatisation, lack of acceptance, insufficient understanding of autism by others, bullying, and social trauma (Rehman et al., 2022;Rumball et al., 2020).”

    From Rethinking psychological interventions in autism: Toward a neurodiversity‐affirming approach. (2025) · cites this paper as Rehman et al., 2022

    The Discussion links lack of public understanding and other social problems to mental-health difficulties in adults with ASD. The Abstract names stigma and bullying, while the mental-health section links poor societal acceptance to stress and anxiety. The paper does not identify social trauma as a factor or establish that these issues significantly contribute to the development of comorbidities; it primarily discusses mental health and well-being. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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Cited by 3

Research works printed but not linked: 29

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Authors
Rehman, F., Sajjad, S., & Saleem, S.
Affiliations
  • Dow University of Health Sciences (PK)
  • University of Karachi (PK)
ORCID
Venue
Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences
Publisher
Human Nature Research Publisher
Published
2022-12-30
Volume
3
Issue
4
Pages
456-466
ISSN
  • 2788-5232 (ISSN-L)
  • 2788-5240
DOI
10.71016/hnjss/cmb4d739
OpenAlex
W4405191826
Cited by
3
References
0
Citations by year
2024: 1 · 2023: 2
FWCI
0.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, autistic adults, psychological well-being, mental illness, social functioning, stigma, social isolation, bullying, Asperger syndrome, gender differences

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