Is Camouflaging Autistic Traits Associated with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours? Expanding the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide in an Undergraduate Student Sample

S. A. Cassidy, K. Gould, E. Townsend, M. Pelton, A. E. Robertson, J. Rodgers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

97 Citations (Scopus)
77 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The current study explored whether people who camouflage autistic traits are more likely to experience thwarted belongingness and suicidality, as predicted by the Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS). 160 undergraduate students (86.9% female, 18–23 years) completed a cross-sectional online survey from 8th February to 30th May 2019 including self-report measures of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, autistic traits, depression, anxiety, camouflaging autistic traits, and lifetime suicidality. Results suggest that camouflaging autistic traits is associated with increased risk of experiencing thwarted belongingness and lifetime suicidality. It is important for suicide theories such as the IPTS to include variables relevant to the broader autism phenotype, to increase applicability of models to both autistic and non-autistic people.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3638–3648
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Volume50
Issue number10
Early online date9 Dec 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2020

Funder

Sarah Cassidy was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council Future Research Leaders grant [Grant Number: ES/N000501/2], Autistica [7247], the International Society for Autism Research and the Slifka-Ritvo Foundation during the course of this research.

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum conditions
  • Autistic traits
  • Broader autism phenotype
  • Camouflaging
  • Interpersonal psychological theory of suicide
  • Masking
  • Suicidality
  • Suicide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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