The experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults: A thematic analysis

Ashley Robertson; Andrew Stanfield; Jane  Watt; Fiona Barry; Matthew  Day; Magnus Cormack; Craig Melville

doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006

The experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults: A thematic analysis

Ashley Robertson
, Andrew Stanfield
, Jane Watt
, Fiona Barry
, Matthew Day
, Magnus Cormack
, Craig Melville

University of Glasgow
University of Edinburgh
NHS Lothian
Autism Initiatives Scotland
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

60 Citations (Scopus)

919 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
A high proportion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also meet criteria for anxiety disorders. Few studies have explored the experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults using qualitative methods.

Methods
Seventeen semi-structured interviews with either autistic adults (n = 10) or the supporters of adults with a diagnosis of ASD (n = 7) were conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results
Three main themes were identified: ‘contributing and mitigating factors to anxiety’, ‘consequences of anxiety’, and ‘management of anxiety’.

Discussion
Findings highlighted the role that uncertainty plays in anxiety in autism, supporting existing theoretical accounts. Implications for clinical practice were discussed. These included ensuring that communication differences are minimised, and highlighting the importance of meaningfully including autistic people throughout the development and evaluation process of interventions for mental health.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	8-18
Journal	Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Volume	46
Early online date	27 Nov 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006
Publication status	Published - Feb 2018
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

anxiety
Thematic analysis
Qualitative
Autism spectrum disorders
Mental ill health

Access to Document

10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006

Post-PrintAccepted author manuscript, 989 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

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title = "The experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults: A thematic analysis",

abstract = "Background A high proportion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also meet criteria for anxiety disorders. Few studies have explored the experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults using qualitative methods. Methods Seventeen semi-structured interviews with either autistic adults (n = 10) or the supporters of adults with a diagnosis of ASD (n = 7) were conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes were identified: {\textquoteleft}contributing and mitigating factors to anxiety{\textquoteright}, {\textquoteleft}consequences of anxiety{\textquoteright}, and {\textquoteleft}management of anxiety{\textquoteright}. Discussion Findings highlighted the role that uncertainty plays in anxiety in autism, supporting existing theoretical accounts. Implications for clinical practice were discussed. These included ensuring that communication differences are minimised, and highlighting the importance of meaningfully including autistic people throughout the development and evaluation process of interventions for mental health.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006",

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volume = "46",

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AU - Robertson, Ashley

AU - Stanfield, Andrew

AU - Watt, Jane

AU - Barry, Fiona

AU - Day, Matthew

AU - Cormack, Magnus

AU - Melville, Craig

PY - 2018/2

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N2 - Background A high proportion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also meet criteria for anxiety disorders. Few studies have explored the experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults using qualitative methods. Methods Seventeen semi-structured interviews with either autistic adults (n = 10) or the supporters of adults with a diagnosis of ASD (n = 7) were conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes were identified: ‘contributing and mitigating factors to anxiety’, ‘consequences of anxiety’, and ‘management of anxiety’. Discussion Findings highlighted the role that uncertainty plays in anxiety in autism, supporting existing theoretical accounts. Implications for clinical practice were discussed. These included ensuring that communication differences are minimised, and highlighting the importance of meaningfully including autistic people throughout the development and evaluation process of interventions for mental health.

AB - Background A high proportion of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) also meet criteria for anxiety disorders. Few studies have explored the experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults using qualitative methods. Methods Seventeen semi-structured interviews with either autistic adults (n = 10) or the supporters of adults with a diagnosis of ASD (n = 7) were conducted. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three main themes were identified: ‘contributing and mitigating factors to anxiety’, ‘consequences of anxiety’, and ‘management of anxiety’. Discussion Findings highlighted the role that uncertainty plays in anxiety in autism, supporting existing theoretical accounts. Implications for clinical practice were discussed. These included ensuring that communication differences are minimised, and highlighting the importance of meaningfully including autistic people throughout the development and evaluation process of interventions for mental health.

KW - anxiety

KW - Thematic analysis

KW - Qualitative

KW - Autism spectrum disorders

KW - Mental ill health

U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006

DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2017.11.006

M3 - Article

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JO - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

JF - Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

ER -

The experience and impact of anxiety in autistic adults: A thematic analysis

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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