Study finds that in Japanese adults with autism, balanced social adaptation enhances mental well-being, while excessive camouflage poses challenges.
Scientists explore the impact of social fitting among Japanese and British autistic adults, highlighting potential unique cultural differences in Japan. CREDIT MissLunaRose12 from Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83118328
As people with autism grow up, they face unique challenges. They find it difficult to deal with mental health issues. There is a big gap in understanding how pretending to fit in (known as social camouflage), cultural beliefs and mental well-being are connected. This is especially true for non-Western countries like Japan. In societies that stress conformity, autistic individuals may feel more pressure to act non-autistic. This, in turn, affects their mental health. Not enough studies in Japan have investigated this concern, which leaves a crucial gap in our knowledge. It is vital to recognize these cultural differences to create better support and help for the mental health of autistic individuals all around the world.
They explored the characteristics of Japanese autistic individuals in terms of social camouflage and mental health. Their study involved the analysis of information on 210 individuals in Japan and 305 individuals in the UK. All the individuals self-reported autism. The researchers examined whether too much social camouflage could impact mental health. They specifically looked at depression and anxiety by using the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire. This research used hierarchical multiple regression analysis with a quadratic term to understand the patterns in Japan. Interestingly, these patterns were different from the straightforward results in the UK.
In Japan, researchers found that autistic people with too much or too little social camouflage tended to show worse mental health, while only autistic people with more social camouflage did so in the UK. Discussing the findings, Prof. Oshima highlights, “Among Japanese autistic adults, we discovered that the link between social camouflage and mental health wasn’t straightforward, unlike in their UK counterparts. Moderate social camouflage showed a positive association with mental well-being. In contrast, excessive social camouflage hurt mental health.”
Additionally, the results emphasized a greater awareness of social stigma in Asian countries. Consequently, feeling judged by others is connected to trying to blend in or hide autistic traits through social camouflage. Prof. Oshima notes, “We found autistic people in Japan tend to engage in less social camouflage than in the UK. The lower social camouflage among Japanese autistic individuals may stem from a lack of awareness about their condition. Such a situation reflects the need for improved education and understanding within Japanese society.”
This research reveals the importance of considering cultural factors when supporting individuals with autism. It also acknowledges the impact of societal expectations and stigma. Furthermore, it stresses the urgency of raising awareness about autism in Japan, which could positively influence mental health outcomes. The connection between social stigma, delayed diagnoses, and social camouflage in Japan highlights specific areas where targeted support is needed.
Prof. Oshima concludes by emphasizing the long-term significance of their study. She states that the results can play a crucial role in shaping strategies to enhance the mental well-being of autistic individuals in Japan. Thus, they can suggest a potential step toward embracing diversity in the country!