Thesis Title: A co-produced exploration of Autistic Burnout: Predictors, Consequences and Coping Strategies
Abstract: Statistically, compared to the general population, autistic people are estimated to have a higher prevalence of mental and physical health needs (Hughes-McCormack et al., 2017). Current estimates indicate that up to 70% of autistic people experience at least one co-occurring mental health difficulty (Lever & Geurts., 2016; Simonoff et al., 2008), especially anxiety and depression (Curnow et al., 2023).
One issue that has been identified in the autistic community as a contributor for mental health difficulties is ‘autistic burnout’. Autistic burnout can be defined as a chronic state of exhaustion and distress, which is coupled with a resultant decline in general daily living skills (Higgins et al., 2021; Raymaker et al., 2020; Rose, 2018). It is inherently different to burnout in non-autistic individuals (a result of workplace stress) and is instead driven by autistic people living in a world that is unaccommodating to their needs (e.g. sensory issues) and pressures them into ‘masking’ their autistic traits (Higgins et al., 2021; Frost et al., 2019; Livingston et al., 2019).
Despite it being a crucial topic in the autistic community (Higgins et al., 2021; Raymaker et al., 2020), research in the academic field is limited to burnout that others face as a result of caring for autistic people (e.g. Kaba et al., 2022; Cappe et al., 2021; Couderc et al., 2021) or, more recently, to defining autistic burnout (e.g. Mantzalas et al., 2023; Higgins et al., 2021; Raymaker et al., 2020).
Therefore, in this research project I aim to build on three key areas: 1) Predictors and risk factors of autistic burnout (e.g. social, biological, psychological); 2) Consequences of autistic burnout (e.g. loss of employment, loss of relationships); and 3) Coping and support strategies before and after onset of autistic burnout.
Primary Supervisors: Dr Nick Puts, Dr Beth Oakley
Publications: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Charlotte-Boatman
Social Media: LinkedIn – https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-boatman-a24754174 Twitter – @CA_Boatman