Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours? Expanding the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide in an undergraduate student sample

Cassidy, S. A., Gould, K., Townsend, E., Pelton, M., Robertson, A. E. and Rodgers, J. (2020) Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviours? Expanding the interpersonal psychological theory of suicide in an undergraduate student sample. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(10), pp. 3638-3648. (doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04323-3) (PMID:31820344) (PMCID:PMC7502035)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Dr Ashley
• Authors: Cassidy, S. A., Gould, K., Townsend, E., Pelton, M., Robertson, A. E., and Rodgers, J.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
• Journal Name: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0162-3257
• ISSN (Online): 1573-3432
• Published Online: 09 December 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 50(10): 3638-3648
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License