Developing a theory of social wellbeing in autistic adults (v1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a theory of social wellbeing in autistic adults.
IRAS ID
350690
Contact name
Iona Lewis-Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Background:
Little is known about autistic adults’ experience of social wellbeing, or what individual, social, or environmental factors contribute and maintain it. It cannot be assumed that autistic adults’ wellbeing will be the same as for adults without autism. Through improving our understanding of social wellbeing in autistic adults, the findings of this study can be used to inform and improve health and wellbeing support for autistic individuals.
Aims and Questions:
This study aims to develop a theory of social wellbeing in autistic adults. The questions this research will answer are:
1. What are the factors that autistic individuals experience as producing, maintaining and harming social wellbeing?
2. How do these factors appear to link together for autistic individuals?
Methods
Participants: Two separate groups of participants will be recruited for this study. The first group of 6-12 autistic adults will participate in Stage 1: a co-production workshop to create statements or questions to be used in Stage 2 of the study. In Stage 2, a second group of 10-20 autistic adults will participate in a Delphi process, constituting a series of up to 3 questionnaires to develop a consensus-based theory of social wellbeing. Both groups of participants will be recruited through the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Adult Autism Team.
Design of study: The study will use consensus methods, which are methods that use group agreements to make decisions. A workshop will be used to collectively design a questionnaire with autistic adults that will be used in a Delphi process. This Delphi process will involve a second group of autistic adults completing up to three questionnaires to develop a theory of social wellbeing.
Practical Applications and Dissemination:
The theory of social wellbeing in autistic adults developed through this research can be used to inform interventions to support autistic individuals’ mental health and wellbeing.REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0141
Date of REC Opinion
25 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion