Psychological Strengths and Well-Being: Strengths Use Predicts Quality of Life, Well-Being and Mental Health in Autism

Autor/inn/en	Taylor, Emily C.; Livingston, Lucy A.; Clutterbuck, Rachel A.; Callan, Mitchell J.; Shah, Punit
Titel	Psychological Strengths and Well-Being: Strengths Use Predicts Quality of Life, Well-Being and Mental Health in Autism
Quelle	In: Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 27 (2023) 6, S.1826-1839 (14 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Taylor, Emily C.) ORCID (Shah, Punit)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1362-3613
DOI	10.1177/13623613221146440
Schlagwörter	Ability; Well Being; Predictor Variables; Mental Health; Quality of Life; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Intervention; Adults; Foreign Countries; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Fähigkeit; Fertigkeit; Well-being; Wellness; Wohlbefinden; Prädiktor; Psychohygiene; Lebensqualität; Autism; Autismus; Ausland; Großbritannien
Abstract	Strengths-based approaches to autism are increasing in research and clinical practice. Such approaches suggest facilitating autistic people to increase the use of their strengths leads to positive outcomes (e.g. improved well-being). However, despite proliferation of strengths-based clinical and educational interventions, these approaches are grounded on several assumptions that remain uninvestigated. Little is known about the specific strengths of autistic people, nor their current knowledge and use of their strengths. Critically, no research has directly tested if autistic people's strengths knowledge and use is in fact associated with positive outcomes. Conducting an exploratory study, including the first well-powered comparisons of the self-reported strengths, strengths knowledge, and strengths use of matched autistic and non-autistic samples (N = 276), we found that autistic and non-autistic participants reported similar strengths. While autistic people reported lower strengths knowledge and use, strengths use in autism strongly predicted better quality of life, subjective well-being, and lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. Thus, strength-based approaches and clinical interventions designed to increase strengths use may pose a valuable method for boosting well-being in autism. However, we suggest such approaches should focus on individuals' strengths more generally, rather than perceived autism-specific abilities. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01