ERIC Number: EJ1179148
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jun
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0162-3257
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Quantitative Analysis of Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Groups in ASD
George, Rita; Stokes, Mark A.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, v48 n6 p2052-2063 Jun 2018
There is increased mental-health adversity among individuals with autism spectrum disorder. At the same time, sexual and gender minority groups experience poorer mental-health when compared to heteronormative populations. Recent research suggests that autistic individuals report increased non-heterosexuality and gender-dysphoric traits. The current study aimed to investigate whether as membership of minority grouping becomes increasingly narrowed, mental health worsened. The present study compared the rates of depression, anxiety, and stress using the DASS-21 and Personal Well-Being using the personal well-being index between 261 typically-developing individuals and 309 autistic individuals. As membership to a minority group became more restrictive, mental health symptoms worsened (p < 0.01), suggesting stressors added. Specialized care is recommended for this vulnerable cohort.
Descriptors: Mental Health, Sexuality, Sexual Orientation, Sexual Identity, Minority Groups, Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Comparative Analysis, Anxiety, Stress Variables, Depression (Psychology), Well Being, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Health Services, Measures (Individuals), Statistical Analysis
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A