- Autistic identity dimensions, positive difference and changeability, correlate with wellbeing, daily living skills, and relationship success in 1,139 autistic adults.
- Positive difference mainly associates with psychological health and subjective wellbeing among autistic adults.
- Changeability primarily relates to daily functioning and successful relationships, indicating distinct functional associations of identity dimensions.
Res Autism. 2026 Aug;136:202972. doi: 10.1016/j.reia.2026.202972. Epub 2026 Jul 15.
ABSTRACT
Autistic adults vary in how they identify with being autistic, which may influence their quality of life and flourishing. We examined the association of autistic identity, characterized by the Autism Spectrum Identity Scale dimensions of positive difference and changeability, with the wellbeing, daily life, and relationships of autistic adults. Among 1,139 participants, 893 were formally diagnosed and 246 were self-diagnosed. Participants who more strongly endorsed positive difference and changeability reported higher degrees of wellbeing, daily living skills, and relationship success. Linear regression analyses indicated that these identity dimensions exhibited distinct patterns, with positive difference primarily relating to psychological health and wellbeing markers, and changeability relating to daily functioning and relationship success. These findings suggest how differences in autistic identity relate to flourishing and may inform the development of therapeutic approaches and structures that enhance wellbeing and quality of life among autistic adults.
PMID:42991845 | PMC:PMC13739423 | DOI:10.1016/j.reia.2026.202972
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