A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Fall, 2023 | Number 4, Volume 37
Poor self-compassion may play a powerful role in the elevated rates of anxiety and depression seen in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study from the United Kingdom.
John Galvin and colleagues surveyed autistic and non-autistic individuals at three separate times over the course of a year. (In the autistic group, 228 individuals completed the first survey, 156 completed the second, and 165 completed the third.) Participants provided demographic information and completed assessments measuring their autistic traits and levels of anxiety and depression. In addition, they completed an assessment measuring three aspects of self-compassion:
• Self-kindness, or treating themselves as kindly as others.
• Common humanity, or an understanding that all people face challenges and difficulties.
• Mindfulness, or the ability to be conscious of thoughts or emotions (including negative ones) without being overwhelmed by them.
The researchers report that while findings for neurotypical controls were mixed, autistic individuals consistently exhibited a correlation between lower self-compassion and subsequent anxiety or depression. Conversely, depression and anxiety did not predict future levels of self-compassion. In both autistic and non-autistic participants, autistic traits at the first period were linked to low self-compassion at the second period and anxiety or depression at the third period.
The researchers comment, “A clinically relevant interpretation of these findings is that the severity of autistic traits may exacerbate or lead to mental health problems via low self-compassion.” They speculate that factors such as trauma, bullying, the need to camouflage autistic traits, and a pervasive sense of non-acceptance from others may lead to low self-compassion in individuals with ASD.
In addition, the researchers say, their findings suggest the possibility of a missing or reduced feedback loop. “Without the self-regulating action of a negative feedback loop between self-compassion and psychopathology in autistic or high trait individuals,” they say, “low self-compassionate responses may spiral out of control and result in further escalation of symptoms.”
The researchers conclude that their findings “can inform the development of interventions that specifically target self-compassion as a means to enhance the mental well-being of both autistic and non-autistic adults with high levels of autistic traits.”
“Longitudinal associations between autistic traits, self-compassion, anxiety and depression in autistic and non-autistic adults without intellectual disability,” John Galvin, Abby Howes, and Gareth Richards, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, October 24, 2023 (free online). Address: John Galvin, john.galvin@warwick. ac.uk.
