Why
Self-compassion is a healthy way of relating to ourselves. Self-compassion involves being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or being too self-critical.
This study aims to understand whether or not Autistic adults’ capacity to be self-compassionate and ability to regulate emotions impact their mental health and psychological wellbeing.
Is developing self-compassion relevant and important for Autistic individuals to improve mental health?
The research
A 15-minute online survey was completed by 153 Autistic adults (63% female, 27% male, 10% other gender) and 93 non-Autistic adults (82% females, 18% males). Participants were invited to take part in an optional interviewed by phone or video call about their experiences around self-compassion.
What we learnt
How do self-compassion and mental health of Autistic and non-Autistic adults compare?
Autistic adults as a group scored:
lower than non-Autistic adults
on self-compassion and positive wellbeing
higher than non-Autistic adults
on anxiety and depression
What are the associates of self-compassion in Autistic adults?
An association was found between self-compassion and mental health of Autistic adults.
People with higher levels of self-compassion:
- were younger in age
- had lower autism traits
- had lower symptoms of anxiety and depression
- had higher levels of wellbeing
When we controlled for autism traits, anxiety and depression symptoms, and psychological wellbeing, we found that in Autistic adults:
- those with higher self-compassion levels had less difficulties in emotion regulation
- those with higher self-compassion levels use more cognitive reappraisal. Cognitive reappraisal is a helpful emotion regulation strategy which involves changing the way we think about a situation to help ourselves feel better.
The main interview findings were that Autistic adults:
Saw the value of being self-compassionate
“Being kinder to myself helps me move through things better.”
Found it hard to be self-compassionate and easy to be self-critical
“I tend to be very hard on myself when I make mistakes or fail at something. I tend to beat myself up a bit.”
Talked about how the ability to be self-compassionate developed over time
“It’s getting easier because I’m working on it, but it’s certainly not really a natural thing.”
Find out more
Publications
Cai, R.Y., Love, A.M.A., Robinson, A., & Gibbs, V. (2023). The inter-relationship of emotion regulation, self-compassion, and mental health in autistic adults. Autism in Adulthood.
Cai R., Gibbs V., Love A., Robinson A., Fung L., & Brown L. (2022). "Self-compassion changed my life”: The self-compassion experiences of autistic and non-autistic adults and its relationship with mental health and psychological wellbeing. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Cai, R.Y., & Brown, L. (2020). Cultivating Self-Compassion to Improve Mental Health in Autistic Adults. Autism in Adulthood.
Making a difference
This is the first research study to explore whether or not Autistic adults’ capacity to be self-compassionate and ability to regulate emotions impact their mental health and psychological wellbeing.
Since people’s self-compassion levels can be improved through practise, developing self-compassion skills is likely to help improve the mental health of Autistic people.
This research informed the next phase of self-compassion research which investigated whether it is possible to improve Autistic people’s mental health through self-compassion-based supports.
Research team
Dr Ru Ying Cai, ARCAP (Lead researcher)
Started
2021
Ends
2021
Funding
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect)