1. Brief Report: Links Between Nonconformity to Gender Norms, Autistic Features, and Internalizing Symptoms in a Non-clinical College Sample.
- Author
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Schiltz, Hillary K., McVey, Alana J., van Dyk, Ilana Seager, Adler, Elyse J., and Van Hecke, Amy V.
- Subjects
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DIAGNOSIS of autism , *AUTISM , *PSYCHOLOGY of college students , *GENDER-nonconforming people , *GENDER identity , *ALEXITHYMIA , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *PHENOTYPES - Abstract
Research shows elevated gender variance among autistic people and more autistic traits among gender diverse people, each of which is related to mental health concerns. Little work has explored broad features of these presentations in a non-clinical sample. College students (n = 174) ages 18–22 years completed questionnaires assessing the broader autism phenotype (BAP), autistic features, nonconformity to gender norms, and internalizing symptoms. Those with more BAP features or autistic communication reported more nonconformity to gender norms. Higher levels of internalizing symptoms were related to more gender nonconformity, BAP, and autistic features. Gender nonconformity marginally moderated the effect of BAP on depression but not anxiety. The BAP, autistic features, and gender nonconformity are important in understanding mental well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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