The Impact of Autism Diagnosis on Stigma: Parent-Reported Autism Traits and Stigma Experiences in Underrepresented Ethno-Racial Minority Groups
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Erin Kang
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 12:15 PM
Description
Previous literature has shown that individuals from underrepresented ethnoracial groups face difficulties in accessing and utilizing services (Magana, 2012). While previous literature has examined the association of autism stigma and knowledge in the general population (Golson et al., 2022, Yu et al., 2020), the role of these factors in underrepresented ethnoracial minority groups with autism is understudied. Stigma may be characterized as the stereotyping, labelling, and discrimination against a particular group (Turnock et al., 2022). This study aims to address this significant gap in literature by examining the relationship between parent-reported autism symptoms and stigma in underrepresented ethno racial minority groups. Fifty-two parents (Mage = 41.3, SD =5.9; South Asian: n = 40, Middle Eastern/North African [MENA]: n = 8, East African: n = 4) of autistic individuals (Mage = 11, SD = 8.9, male = 79 %), residing in the United States completed a questionnaire to assess autism stigma and autism knowledge (ASK-Q; Harrison et al., 2017). The results represented a significant correlation between Autism Knowledge: stigma and diagnosis (rho=0.747, p<0.01), indicating a strong relationship between parent-reported understanding of autism diagnosis and experienced stigma within underrepresented groups. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive support, interventions, and autism knowledge which will ultimately increase the quality of life of individuals within these communities.
The Impact of Autism Diagnosis on Stigma: Parent-Reported Autism Traits and Stigma Experiences in Underrepresented Ethno-Racial Minority Groups
Previous literature has shown that individuals from underrepresented ethnoracial groups face difficulties in accessing and utilizing services (Magana, 2012). While previous literature has examined the association of autism stigma and knowledge in the general population (Golson et al., 2022, Yu et al., 2020), the role of these factors in underrepresented ethnoracial minority groups with autism is understudied. Stigma may be characterized as the stereotyping, labelling, and discrimination against a particular group (Turnock et al., 2022). This study aims to address this significant gap in literature by examining the relationship between parent-reported autism symptoms and stigma in underrepresented ethno racial minority groups. Fifty-two parents (Mage = 41.3, SD =5.9; South Asian: n = 40, Middle Eastern/North African [MENA]: n = 8, East African: n = 4) of autistic individuals (Mage = 11, SD = 8.9, male = 79 %), residing in the United States completed a questionnaire to assess autism stigma and autism knowledge (ASK-Q; Harrison et al., 2017). The results represented a significant correlation between Autism Knowledge: stigma and diagnosis (rho=0.747, p<0.01), indicating a strong relationship between parent-reported understanding of autism diagnosis and experienced stigma within underrepresented groups. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive support, interventions, and autism knowledge which will ultimately increase the quality of life of individuals within these communities.
Comments
Additional Authors: Emily Lynch, Michael House