Personal Identity After an Autism Diagnosis: Relationships With Self-Esteem, Mental Wellbeing, and Diagnostic Timing

Adults are increasingly seeking autism diagnoses, although less is known about their experiences of diagnosis and personal identity (i.e., as part “me”), how this relates to self-esteem wellbeing. One-hundred fifty-one autistic adults completed an online survey including measures self-esteem, psychological wellbeing, identity, which considered whether participants took pride in or were dissatisfied with being autistic. Fifty-four answered a qualitative question the impact receiving on sense self. Regression analyses found that greater time elapsed since related dissatisfaction identity. We also more predicted lower higher self-esteem. Content analysis participants’ supported quantitative findings was suggestive emotive post-diagnostic adjustment process. Future research should aim identify ways promote development positive post-diagnosis adulthood.