'I was exhausted trying to figure it out': The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood
'I was exhausted trying to figure it out': The experiences of females receiving an autism diagnosis in middle to late adulthood
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DOI：
10.1177/1362361319853442
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发表时间：
2020-01-01
期刊：
影响因子：
5.2
通讯作者：
Freeth, Megan
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Leedham, Alexandra;Thompson, Andrew R.;Freeth, Megan
女性通常比男性更晚接受自闭症谱系疾病的诊断，导致需求被误解。本研究的目的是探讨被诊断为自闭症谱系障碍的成年女性在成年中后期的生活经历。11名年龄超过40岁的女性自闭症患者完成了半结构化访谈，使用解释现象学分析。出现了四个高级主题：隐藏条件（假装正常和融入;心理健康和错误标签），接受的过程（最初的反应和寻求理解;通过新的透镜重新生活），诊断后其他人的影响（最初的反应;刻板的假设），以及自闭症谱系的新身份（谈判关系，连接和社区;改变幸福和自我的看法;诊断的意义）。研究结果强调了几个以前没有确定的因素，影响女性的晚期诊断，包括广泛的有限的理解。几位参与者经历了诊断，促进了从自我批评到自我同情的转变，加上代理感的增加。参与者经历了身份的改变，使他们能够更好地接受和理解自我。不过，到了这个时候，想要适应，也是一件很痛苦的事情。
Females often receive autism spectrum condition diagnoses later than males, leaving needs misunderstood. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of female adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum condition in middle to late adulthood. Eleven autistic females diagnosed over the age of 40 years completed semi-structured interviews, analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: A hidden condition (pretending to be normal and fitting in; mental health and mislabelling), The process of acceptance (initial reactions and search for understanding; re-living life through a new lens), The impact of others post-diagnosis (initial reactions; stereotyped assumptions), and A new identity on the autism spectrum (negotiating relationships, connections and community; changing well-being and views of the self; the meaning of diagnosis). Findings highlight several factors not previously identified that affect late diagnosis in females, including widespread limited understandings of others. Diagnosis was experienced by several participants as facilitating transition from being self-critical to self-compassionate, coupled with an increased sense of agency. Participants experienced a change in identity that enabled greater acceptance and understanding of the self. However, this was painful to adjust to at such a late stage.