A Qualitative Study of Self and Caregiver Perspectives on How Autistic Individuals Cope With Trauma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coping can moderate the relationship between trauma exposure and trauma symptoms. There are many conceptualisations of coping in the general population, but limited research has considered how autistic individuals cope, despite their above-average rates of traumatic exposure.

Objectives

To describe the range of coping strategies autistic individuals use following traumatic events.

Methods

Fourteen autistic adults and 15 caregivers of autistic individuals, recruited via stratified purposive sampling, completed semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe how they/their child attempted to cope with events they perceived as traumatic. Using an existing theoretical framework and reflexive thematic analysis, coping strategies were identified,

SUBMITTER: Ng-Cordell E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9329569 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature