Search results
(1 - 3 of 3)
- Title
- Factor Analysis of a Stigma Measure for Adults with Autism
- Creator
- Beedle, Robert Brian
- Date
- 2019
- Description
-
This study evaluates a measurement tool for public stigma of adults with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability...
Show moreThis study evaluates a measurement tool for public stigma of adults with autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability affecting individuals’ sensory experiences, behaviors, and social interactions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Current literature has examined public stigma of ASD through qualitative methods and select attitude and social distance scales, consistently reporting lower levels of negative attitudes when disclosure of ASD diagnosis is provided (Gray, 2002; Hennegan, 2010; Obeid et al, 2015). Other research suggests adults with ASD frequently experience stigma and discrimination in their daily lives across settings (MacLeod, Lewis, & Roberson, 2013; Nicolaidis et al, 2015; Thibault, 2014). Previous research has not examined whether known processes of stigma (i.e., Attribution Theory, Danger Appraisal models) are applicable to understanding the stigma reported by this population. In the current study a commonly used measure of the stigma of mental illness (Attribution Questionnaire 27) was administered to determine its psychometric properties when applied to adults with ASD. Examination of a previous measurement model for this questionnaire on a sample of participants (N = 160) indicated lack of model fit. A larger sample (N = 306) was collected to determine the data-driven factor structure of this measure. A series of exploratory factor analyses indicates a three-factor, 24-item solution that displays strong psychometric properties, as well as convergent validity with other measures of attitudes towards disabilities and ASD. Results of this study suggest additional need to research the topic of stigma towards adults with ASD.
Show less
- Title
- The Development of a Measure of Public Stigma Towards Adults With Autism
- Creator
- Beedle, Robert Brian
- Date
- 2022
- Description
-
Adults with autism (AwA) report experiences of stigma and discrimination. Yet, quantitative research suggests that public attitudes are...
Show moreAdults with autism (AwA) report experiences of stigma and discrimination. Yet, quantitative research suggests that public attitudes are relatively benign. This research discrepancy is compounded by the present lack of a stakeholder-informed, theoretically-guided measure of the stigma towards AwA. The objective of the present study was to develop a measure of stigma towards AwA following best practices survey methodology. First, existing related measures were reviewed for possible candidate items, yielding 36 draft questions related to the stigma of AwA. Next, seven stakeholders in the AwA community were recruited to provide feedback on their experiences of stigma and discrimination, as well as feedback on the draft items. Following stakeholder feedback, draft items were edited, added, or removed based on feedback from the participants with AwA and their lived experiences, resulting in a revised measure of 51 candidate items. Finally, these 51 items underwent a quantitative phase with participants recruited through MTurk (N = 357). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted in order to generate a data driven factor structure that reflected stigma theory. The end result was a 20-item, four factor solution measuring numerous components of stigma within factors including cognitive components of stigma, blame, positive and negative affect, and comfort with close contact. The resulting measurement tool was titled the Public Stigma towards Adults with Autism Scale (PSAWA) and demonstrated strong psychometric properties. The tool has utility for further studying stigma towards AwA and assessing stigma interventions.
Show less
- Title
- Sense of Community and Virtual Community Among People with Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Creator
- Rafajko, Sean I
- Date
- 2020
- Description
-
Individuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) face poorer quality of life (QOL) and psychological well-being. Sense of community (SOC) has...
Show moreIndividuals with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) face poorer quality of life (QOL) and psychological well-being. Sense of community (SOC) has been studied in the general population as well as in other disability populations and found to be associated with increased QOL outcomes. However, SOC has never been examined quantitatively in the ASC population. Additionally, a number of communities exist online, and there has been recent research showing that people may feel sense of virtual community (SOVC), which may be particularly important to the ASC population, as internet use is higher in the population, and people with ASC report positive experiences with online communication and relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine SOC and SOVC in the ASC population. A sample of 60 participants with ASC completed an online survey about their communities, SOC, SOVC, QOL, and psychological distress, and their results were compared with a sample of 60 general population participants (N = 120). Results indicated that people with ASC reported participating in a greater number of smaller relational communities compared to the general population sample. There were no significant differences between the ASC and general population samples on levels of SOC or SOVC, suggesting that the differential relationship of the ASC group with their communities does not reduce the experience of SOC. SOC significantly contributed to QOL but not psychological distress. Results indicated that the magnitude of the relationship between SOC and SOVC on QOL was not different between those with ASC and those in the comparisons sample. Findings from this study help frame the different ways in which people with ASC interact with their communities and inform individual and community-level interventions.
Show less