Understanding Autistic Identity Contingencies: The Chain Mediation Effect of Autism Acceptance and Loneliness in Ableist Microaggressions and Social Camouflage

Understanding Autistic Identity Contingencies: The Chain Mediation Effect of Autism Acceptance and Loneliness in Ableist Microaggressions and Social Camouflage | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Understanding Autistic Identity Contingencies: The Chain Mediation Effect of Autism Acceptance and Loneliness in Ableist Microaggressions and Social Camouflage Siqing Guan, Fumito Takahashi, Makoto Wada, Hikari N Takashina, and 7 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Ableist microaggressions—subtle forms of disability-based discrimination—serve as a key minority stressor. Amplified by autistic identity contingencies that shape how autistic identity is judged and treated in social contexts, these factors drive social camouflage in autistic adults, compelling them to conceal autistic characteristics for adapting to non-autistic groups, often resulting in negative mental health outcomes. This study proposes a novel Autistic Identity Contingencies Model to explore how autism acceptance and loneliness mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage. An online survey of 330 autistic adults was conducted, followed by hierarchical multiple regression and chain mediation analyses. Results indicated that, ableist microaggressions positively predicted three social camouflage phenotypes: compensation, masking, and assimilation, with loneliness also predicting assimilation. Furthermore, after controlling for personal attributes, general stress and mental health conditions, less external autism acceptance and loneliness mediated the positive relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, whereas internal autism acceptance showed no significant effect. Assimilation is uniquely shaped by autistic social identity threat and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. These findings highlight social camouflage as responses to minority stressors driven by social autistic identity contingencies, rooted in stigmatized behaviors rather than in personal autistic identity. Psychology Psychiatry Adults Environmental factors Social cognition and social behavior Social Camouflage Social identity Minority stress Ableism Microaggression Autism acceptance Loneliness Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Introduction Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by unique strengths and challenges in social communication and interaction, while autistic individuals often display intensely focused interests and heightened sensitivity to sensory stimulation throughout their lifespans (Gillespie-Lynch et al., 2017 ; Robertson, 2010 ). Autistic adults face mental health inequalities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide compared to the non-autistic population (Lai, 2023 ; Lai et al., 2019 ), partly driven by minority stress stemming from their neurominority status. Minority stress in autism, driven by stigma around autistic identity, increases physical and mental strain over time, worsening mental health (Botha & Frost, 2020 ). Autistic identity, encompassing both a social identity as a member of the autistic community and a personal identity that integrates autism as a core part of oneself, is closely linked to mental health ( K. Cooper et al., 2023 ; R. Cooper et al., 2021 ; Davies et al., 2024 ).However, the interpersonal environmental factors that threaten autistic identity and activate minority stress, along with their impact on coping strategies in autism, remain poorly understood. Understanding how autistic identity contingencies shape the expectations and conditions imposed by non-autistic groups, while influencing coping strategies through minority stress activation, is crucial. Social identity contingencies—encompassing stereotypes, judgments, opportunities, restrictions, and treatments tied to one’s social identity—are pivotal in determining whether minority groups perceive their interpersonal environments as threatening or safe (Steele et al., 2002a ). In various minority groups (e.g., racial, ethnic, and gender minorities), such contingencies affect coping strategies through activated minority stress, contributing to mental health inequalities (Geronimus et al., 2016 ; Hatzenbuehler et al., 2009 ; Purdie-Vaughns et al., 2008 ). However, the coping pressures stemming from the autistic identity contingencies remain unexplored (Botha & Frost, 2020 ; Rivera & Bennetto, 2023 ). The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) public health practice recommends addressing identity-threatening environments rather than focusing on personal factors, advocating that preventing the repeated activation of minority stressors could mitigate mental health inequities (Geronimus et al., 2016 ). To reduce mental health inequalities in autism, efforts should prioritize addressing identity-threatening environments that activate minority stress, rather than seeking to change autistic individuals. Social camouflage as a coping strategy for autism-related stigma Autistic individuals engage in social camouflage to conceal their characteristics and adapt to the non-autistic group, enabling them to secure employment and education and avoid harassment or victimization(Cage & Troxell-Whitman, 2019 ; J. Cook et al., 2022 ; Hull et al., 2017 ). Social camouflage contributes to mental health inequities in autism, being linked to increased burnout, anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidality (Cassidy et al., 2020 ; Hull et al., 2021 ; Zhuang et al., 2023 ). Social camouflage includes masking autistic in social situations, compensating for the social differences between autistic and non-autistic adults, and assimilating into the non-autistic group, each impacting mental health differently(Cassidy et al., 2020 ; Hull et al., 2017 , 2019 ). However, the underlying mechanisms linking minority stress and social camouflage remain poorly understood. Understanding how minority stress influences social camouflage, autism acceptance, and loneliness in autistic adults is essential for addressing these challenges effectively. Previous studies have explored autism acceptance as a protective factor against social camouflage(Cage et al., 2018 ; Perry et al., 2022 ). Autism acceptance, encompassing both external and internal acceptance, refers to the feeling of being valued or appreciated as an autistic individual, recognizing autism as an integral part of one's identity(Cage et al., 2018 ). While some studies have found associations between low levels of external and internal acceptance and social camouflage(Zhuang et al., 2023 ), others reported no such relationship(Keating et al., 2024 ). These inconsistent findings suggest that an additional variable, such as loneliness, may mediate the relationship between autism acceptance and social camouflage. Loneliness, a painful emotional response to the gap between actual and desired relationships (Peplau & Perlman, 1982 ), is linked to low autism acceptance and increased social camouflage in autistic adults(Elmose, 2020 ; Hwang et al., 2017 ; Milner et al., 2023 ). Therefore, it is essential to clarify the roles that autism acceptance and loneliness play in how minority stress influences social camouflage. Clarifying whether social camouflage in autism is driven by stigmatized personal identity or stigmatized behaviours is essential for understanding autistic identity contingencies. Previous research utilizing social identity theory suggests that social camouflage among autistic adults arises as a response to autism-related stigma(Perry et al., 2022 ; Tamura et al., 2024 ). While stigmatized personal identity internalizes prejudice by burdening marginalized autistic adults with the responsibility to change, stigmatized behaviours highlight the harmful impact of minority stress caused by oppressive institutions, beliefs, and practices on their mental health(Rivera & Bennetto, 2023 ). Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between stigmatized personal identity within the inner group and stigmatized behaviours resulting from minority stress imposed by the outer group. This understanding will help establish a theoretical foundation and inform intervention strategies aimed at fostering interpersonal environmental change to reduce mental health disparities in autism. Minority stressors of ableist microaggressions and social camouflage The minority stress model emphasizes that stress processes are deeply rooted in the environmental contexts where minority group members exist, explaining the unique stressors contributing to mental health inequalities between minority and majority groups (Meyer, 2003 ). This model has been used to explore the link between minority stress and mental health outcomes in autistic adults. For instance, Botha and Frost ( 2020 ) found that minority stressors reduced well-being and increased psychological distress in autistic adults. However, their study did not specifically examine the impact of minority stress on social camouflage in autism. Recent research has explored ableist microaggressions on individuals with disabilities, including autistic adults(Aydemir-Döke & Herbert, 2022 ). Ableism—the belief in the superiority of neurotypical abilities—encompasses discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities, often overlooked and regarded as the ‘last form of discrimination’ in the Western world (Hartman et al., 2023 ). These ableist microaggressions, described as 'death by a thousand paper cuts'(Kattari, 2019 ), subtly reinforce ableism through brief insults based on disability status, contributing to minority stressors(Aydemir-Döke & Herbert, 2022 ; Sue et al., 2007 ). While autistic adults experience both ableist microaggressions and loneliness, their roles in social camouflage remain insufficiently explored. The minority stress model distinguishes between distal stressors, such as discrimination and harassment, and proximal stressors, which are internal, subjective responses to these stressors(Elmer et al., 2022 ). Ableist microaggressions act as distal stressors, negatively impacting mental health and intensifying negative emotions (Aydemir-Döke & Herbert, 2022 ; Kattari, 2019 ). Furthermore, research on sexual minorities found that loneliness, as a proximal minority stressor, leads individuals to camouflage their minority characteristics, which, while reducing social exclusion, hinders the development of fulfilling relationships(Elmer et al., 2022 ). However, the role of loneliness in ableist microaggressions and social camouflage in autistic adults remain unclear. Understanding these stressors is key to uncovering autistic identity contingencies, addressing identity-threatening environments, and reducing mental health inequalities without placing the burden on individuals. Autistic Identity Contingencies Model The novel Autistic Identity Contingencies Model proposed in this study aims to elucidate the functional heterogeneity of social camouflage, which result from the minority stressors of ableist microaggressions. Grounded in social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 2001 ), this model uniquely combines minority stress theory (Meyer, 2003 ) and regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997 ) to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the identity threats faced by autistic individuals and their coping strategies. Rivera and Bennetto's (2023) identity-based theoretical framework further enriches this understanding by highlighting how minority stressors contribute to social camouflage in autism. The minority stress model explains how the disparities between stigmatized minority groups and the majority contribute to mental health disparities (Meyer, 2003 ). Traditional autism research based on social identity theory has primarily focused on intragroup belonging and mental health, often overlooking the social identity threats encountered during interactions with non-autistic groups(Rivera & Bennetto, 2023 ). Social identity threat occurs when an inner group's positive image is undermined by negative stereotypes, devaluation, or external stigmatization (Steele et al., 2002b ). Although research has emphasized the role of social identity threat in sustaining inequalities, there is still a notable gap in understanding the specific social identity threats faced by autistic individuals. In addition, despite the distinct mental health associations of the three social camouflage phenotypes—compensation, masking, and assimilation—the functional heterogeneity of these coping strategies in the context of minority stress is underexplored. Assimilation involves the systematic suppression of autistic traits in favor of active expression of non-autistic traits to fit into social environments, and it is associated with loneliness (Cassidy et al., 2020 ; Klein & Macoun, 2025 ). Regulatory focus theory, when applied to intergroup discrimination, identifies two self-regulatory systems: promotion focus, which emphasizes nurturance to address challenges, and prevention focus, which emphasizes security to avoid threats (Higgins, 1997 ; Shah et al., 2004 ). In this context, compensation and masking may reflect promotion-focused strategies aimed at overcoming social challenges, while assimilation may reflect a prevention-focused strategy aimed at defensing social identity threats and loneliness. Although empirical research is limited, the Autistic Identity Contingencies Model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how minority stressors of ableist microaggressions contribute to the functional heterogeneity of social camouflage phenotypes in autism (Fig. 1). Figure 1. Aim and hypotheses This study examines autistic identity contingencies, focusing on how external and internal autism acceptance, along with loneliness, shape coping responses to ableist microaggressions among autistic adults. Social camouflage phenotypes—coping mechanisms for minority stressors linked to stigmatized behaviors or personal identities—remain underexplored in this context, particularly regarding their functional heterogeneities. Understanding these dynamics is critical to determining whether interventions should target autistic individuals directly or focus on modifying external factors to better align with their interpersonal environments. Furthermore, Japan's low external and internal autism acceptance compared to Western countries, combined with the unique social challenges of early adulthood, underscores the importance of addressing Western sample biases by including Japanese individuals with diverse educational levels and employment backgrounds(K. Cooper et al., 2024 ; Hirota et al., 2024 ; Keating et al., 2024 ; Rydzewska et al., 2019 ). This study hypothesizes that autistic adults who experience a high frequency of ableist microaggressions, low external autism acceptance, and high loneliness are more likely to engage in social camouflage, including compensation, masking, and assimilation. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that low external autism acceptance and high loneliness sequentially mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation among autistic adults. Methods Participants This study included 330 autistic adults, who were recruited via the LITALICO Job Navi online bulletin board, one of Japan's largest online job platforms for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. LITALICO, a Japanese company supporting people with disabilities, hosts this platform, which offers free registration and serves a wide range of autistic adults, including those not using its support services. The inclusion criteria were being 18–39 years old Japanese adults, self-identifying as autism and diagnosed with autism spectrum condition by psychiatrists or paediatricians. The participants self-reported their autism spectrum condition diagnosis.The sample size was determined using G*Power 7 with an alpha level of 0.05 and 80% power for multiple linear regression, requiring at least 316 participants to ensure that 10 predictors explained at least a 2–3% increase in the variance of the dependent variable (f² = 0.025); considering potential data attrition, the study was designed for 330 participants. The Research Ethics Committee of a local university in Japan approved this study. Table 1 presents the demographic characteristics. Table 1 Participant demographic characteristics Variables Value Nationality and ethnicity (Japanese): n (%) 330 (100%) Age: mean (SD) 30.12 (5.60) Gender: n (%) Men 137 (41.52%) Women 153 (46.36%) Other (transgender, non-binary, or prefer not to say) 40 (12.12%) Socioeconomic status Total years of educational history: mean (SD) 14.45 (2.20) range: years (%) ≤ 12 96 (29.09%) 13–16 214 (64.85%) ≥ 17 20 (6.06%) Currently employed: n (%) 166 (50.30%) Unemployed: n (%) 154 (46.67%) Other (receiving social welfare services for employment, training, or job hunting): n (%) 10 (3.03%) Total years of work experience: mean (SD) 6.25(5.20) range 0–32 Mental health conditions: n (%) Receiving treatment at a mental health clinic 28 (8.48%) Multiple diagnosis 218 (66.06%) Schizophrenia 5 (1.52%) Personality disorder 2 (0.61%) Disorders of intellectual development 2 (0.61%) Developmental learning disorder 5 (1.52%) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 73 (22.12%) Bipolar or related disorder 39 (11.82%) Depressive disorder 81 (24.55%) Dysthymic disorder 4 (1.21%) Social anxiety disorder 9 (2.73%) Anxiety and fear-related disorders (Generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder) 12 (3.64%) Obsessive-compulsive disorder 4 (1.21%) Adjustment disorder 21 (6.36%) Dissociative neurological symptom disorder 3 (0.91%) Complex post-traumatic stress disorder 2 (0.61%) Bodily distress disorder 1 (0.30%) Anorexia nervosa/Bulimia nervosa 6 (1.82%) Sleep-wake disorder 9 (2.73%) Epilepsy 2 (0.61%) Unclassifiable 6 (1.82%) Materials and procedure Participation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior to participation. Participants completed an online questionnaire survey using the Qualtrics Survey Platform. Ableist Microaggressions The Japanese version of the Ableist Microaggressions Impact Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to measure ableist microaggression impact (Aydemir-Döke & Herbert, 2022 ). he 25-item measure assesses participants’ daily life experiences with ableist microaggressions they may have encountered. The total scores ranged from 0 to 100. The internal consistency in this study was excellent (α = .94). Autism acceptance The Japanese version of the Autism Acceptance Questions (AAQ) was used to measure external and internal autism acceptance (Cage et al., 2018 ). External autism acceptance was scored using the average scores for the item of autism acceptance from family and friends and the item of autism acceptance from society. External and internal autism acceptance scores ranged from 0 to 10. The internal consistency in this study was acceptable (α = .61). Social camouflaging The Japanese version of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) was used to measure autistic adults’ social camouflaging experiences (Hongo et al., 2024 ; Hull et al., 2019 ). The CAT-Q comprises 25 items across three subscales: compensation (9 items α = .84), masking (8 items α = .80), and assimilation (8 items α = .77). The total scores ranged from 25 to 175. The internal consistency in this study was good. Loneliness The Japanese version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale short version was used to measure loneliness (Arimoto & Tadaka, 2019 ). Participants rated how often they experienced the 10 items on a four-point Likert scale. The total scores ranged from 10 to 40. The internal consistency in this study was good (α = .82). General stress The Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure perceived general stress(Cohen et al., 1983 ). Participants were asked to indicate the frequency of the condition they had experienced in the past month for 14 items. The total scores ranged from 0 to 56. The internal consistency in this study was good (α = .83). Depression The Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms(Kroenke et al., 2001 ). Total scores ranging from 0 to 27 points. The internal consistency in this study was good (α = .89). Anxiety The Japanese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale was used to measure anxiety symptoms(Spitzer et al., 2006 ). Total scores ranging from 0 to 21 points. The internal consistency in this study was excellent (α = .90). Autistic traits The Japanese version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient short term was used to measure autistic traits (Kurita et al., 2005 ). The scale comprised four items, with one point assigned for choosing two options from the side considered to have autistic traits for each item. The total scores ranged from 0 to 10. The internal consistency in this study was acceptable (α = .62). Design and data analysis This cross-sectional study used a correlational design. Data at cross-sectional time points were included in the analysis, depending on the purpose of this study, as the analysis data came from a longitudinal survey research project. Data at cross-sectional time points from this study did not exclude. The outcome variable was social camouflaging (compensation, masking, or assimilation scores on the CAT-Q), and the main predictor variables of interest were ableist microaggression, autism acceptance (external acceptance or internal acceptance scores on the AAQ), and loneliness. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29 with the PROCESS macro add-on version 4.3 (Hayes, 2017 ). To test Hypothesis 1, hierarchical regression models predicting compensation, masking, and assimilation, along with partial regression plots, were tested. Individual attributes (age, age at diagnosis, autism traits) were assessed using multiple regression analysis with independent variables. As all three have been associated with camouflage in previous studies (Hull et al., 2019 ; Perry et al., 2022 ), these variables were controlled. To regrade gender in social camouflage, significant differences were found in the UK sample (Hull et al., 2019 ; Perry et al., 2022 ), but not in the Japanese sample (Hongo et al., 2024 ; Oshima et al., 2024 ). To test Hypothesis 2, the chain mediation model was tested using Model 6(Hayes, 2017 ). We computed 95% confidence intervals for the indirect effects obtained from the bias-corrected bootstrap estimates with a sample size of 10,000. These intervals were considered significant at a p-value of 0.05 if the range of the 95% confidence interval did not encompass zero(Hayes & Scharkow, 2013 ). With reference to generalizability of the minority stress model(Botha & Frost, 2020 ), the model was tested based on individual attributes (as above), mental health conditions (depression and anxiety symptoms) and perceived general stress, controlled as covariates. Results To visualize the relationships between variables, along with the means and standard deviations for each variable, we utilized a heatmap of the correlation matrix (Fig. 2). Figure 2. The distribution of data for the three social camouflage phenotypes across groups with varying demographic variables (gender, educational history, and employment status) is presented using multiple Raincloud plots (Fig. 3). No significant differences were observed across these groups. Figure 3. Hierarchical regression results with compensation (Model 1) Compensation was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 1.2% of the variance in personal attribute variables, and adding ableist microaggression impact as predictors in step two explained 13.1% of the variance, which was significant ( p < .001). Adding external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 13.2% of the variance, which was not significant. Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 13.5% of the variance, which was significant. The final model showed a significant fit with the data (F (7, 322) = 7.162, p < .001). The final model of compensation (Model 1) indicated that the ableist microaggression impact significantly predicted compensation scores (Table 2 ).Partial regression plots revealed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, compensation scores increased with increasing ableist microaggressions (Fig. 2a). Hierarchical regression results with masking (Model 2) Masking was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 3.2% of the variance in personal attribute variables, and adding ableist microaggressions as a predictor in step two explained 9.2% of the variance, which was significant ( p < .001). Adding the external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 9.4% of the variance, which was not significant. Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 9.4% of the variance, which was not significant. The final model was a significant fit to the data (F (7, 322) = 4.793, p < .001). This final model of masking (Model 2) showed that autistic traits and ableist microaggressions significantly predicted masking scores (Table 2 ). Partial regression plots revealed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, masking scores increased with increasing ableist microaggressions (Fig. 2b). Hierarchical regression results with assimilation as the outcome variable (Model 3) Assimilation was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 7.6% of the variance in personal attribute variables, diagnostic age of autism and autistic traits which was significant ( p < .001). Adding the ableist microaggressions as the predictor in step two explained 15.7% of the variance, which was significant ( p < .001). Adding external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 24.0% of the variance, which was significant ( p < .001). Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 35.1% of the variance, which was significant ( p < .001). The final model showed a significant fit with the data (F (7, 322) = 24.874, p < .001). This final model of assimilation (Model 3) indicated that age, diagnostic age of autism, autistic traits, ableist microaggression, and loneliness significantly predicted assimilation scores (Table 2 ).Partial regression plots showed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, assimilation scores increased with increasing ableist microaggression and loneliness scores. (Figs. 2c and 2d). Table 2 Hierarchical regression models predicting compensation, masking, and assimilation Step Variable β t p F DF p Delta F p R 2 Delta R 2 Model 1 (Compensation) 1 1.296 3 n.s. 1.296 n.s. .012 .012 Age -0.69 -1.026 n.s. Diagnostic age -0.45 − .673 n.s. Autistic traits -0.36 − .644 n.s. 2 12.210 4 < .001 44.432 < .001 .131 .119 Age − .133 -2.098 n.s. Diagnostic age .053 .816 n.s. Autistic traits − .043 − .835 n.s. Ableist microaggression .354 6.666 < .001 3 8.193 6 < .001 .270 n.s. .132 .001 Age − .131 -2.058 n.s. Diagnostic age .054 .823 n.s. Autistic traits − .040 − .766 n.s. Ableist microaggression .360 6.246 < .001 External autism acceptance .000 − .007 n.s. Internal autism acceptance .039 .699 n.s. 4 7.162 7 < .001 .977 n.s. .135 .003 Age − .135 -2.104 n.s. Diagnostic age .063 .955 n.s. Autistic traits − .034 − .653 n.s. Ableist microaggression .366 6.316 < .001 External autism acceptance − .034 − .491 n.s. Internal autism acceptance .033 .595 n.s. Loneliness − .065 − .988 n.s. Model 2 (Masking) 1 3.573 3 < .050 3.573 < .050 .032 .032 Age -0.71 -1.079 n.s. Diagnostic age .037 .564 n.s. Autistic traits − .171 -3.125 n.s. 2 8.240 4 < .001 21.567 < .001 .092 .060 Age − .118 -1.809 n.s. Diagnostic age .107 1.620 n.s. Autistic traits − .176 -3.325 < .001 Ableist microaggression .252 4.644 < .001 3 5.608 6 < .001 .403 n.s. .094 .002 Age − .116 -1.781 n.s. Diagnostic age .105 1.571 n.s. Autistic traits − .174 -3.254 n.s. Ableist microaggression .251 4.260 < .001 External autism acceptance − .023 − .381 n.s. Internal autism acceptance .051 .892 n.s. 4 4.793 7 < .001 .006 n.s. .094 .000 Age − .116 -1.780 n.s. Diagnostic age .106 1.564 n.s. Autistic traits − .173 -3.221 n.s. Ableist microaggression .251 4.236 < .001 External autism acceptance − .026 − .369 n.s. Internal autism acceptance .050 .878 n.s. Loneliness − .005 -0.76 n.s. Model 3 (Assimilation) 1 8.946 3 < .001 8.946 < .001 .076 .076 Age − .116 -1.786 n.s. Diagnostic age .228 3.519 < .001 Autistic traits .185 3.466 < .001 2 15.119 4 < .001 31.156 < .001 .157 .081 Age − .169 -2.698 n.s. Diagnostic age .309 4.850 < .001 Autistic traits .179 3.497 < .001 Ableist microaggression .292 5.582 < .001 3 17.042 6 < .001 17.768 < .001 .240 .084 Age − .189 -3.163 < .005 Diagnostic age .265 4.327 < .001 Autistic traits .151 3.091 < .005 Ableist microaggression .174 3.228 < .001 External autism acceptance − .271 -4.817 < .001 Internal autism acceptance − .093 -1.793 n.s. 4 24.874 7 < .001 54.827 < .001 .351 .111 Age − .168 -3.042 < .005 Diagnostic age .205 3.579 < .001 Autistic traits .114 2.506 < .05 Ableist microaggression .133 2.651 < .01 External autism acceptance − .054 − .904 n.s. Internal autism acceptance − .057 -1.174 n.s. Loneliness .424 7.404 < .001 Figure 4. Chain mediation model External autism acceptance and loneliness had a chain mediating effect on the relationship between ableist microaggression and social camouflage (assimilation), supporting Hypothesis 2. This study computed the model for external autism acceptance as the first mediator (M1), internal acceptance of autism as the second mediator (M2), and loneliness as the third mediator (M3) in the mediation chain. The regression analysis demonstrated that ableist microaggressions was significantly correlated with (M1) external acceptance autism ( β = − .360, t (329) = -6.997, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.130). Next, we computed the analyses for (M2) internal autism acceptance as the second mediator. Ableist microaggressions was not significantly correlated with (M2) internal autism acceptance, and (M1) external autism acceptance was significantly correlated with (M2) internal autism acceptance ( β = − .351, t (329) = 6.333, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.128). We then computed the analyses for (M3) loneliness as the third mediator. Ableist microaggressions was not significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness; (M1) external autism acceptance was significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness ( β = − .540, t (329) = -10.764, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.363); and (M2) internal autism acceptance was not significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness. Finally, we computed the analyses for assimilation as the outcome variable and as the third mediator. Ableist microaggressions and external and internal autism acceptance were not significantly associated with assimilation; and loneliness was significantly associated with assimilation ( β = − .469, t (329) = 8.108, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.307). The effects of ableist microaggression on (M1) external autism acceptance, (M2) internal autism acceptance, and (M3) loneliness were not significant. The results of the mediation effect analysis showed that ableist microaggression did not directly affect assimilation; however, external autism acceptance and loneliness indirectly mediated this relationship (Effect = 0.033, 95% CI [0.020, 0.050]). The indirect effects on the other pathways were not significant. Thus, the results revealed a chain mediation of external autism acceptance and loneliness on the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation. Moreover, after controlling for the general environmental factor (perceived general stress), mental health conditions (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and personal attribute variables (age, age of autism diagnosis, and autistic traits), the results of the regression analysis showed that ableist microaggressions ( β = − .127, t (329) = 2.410, p < 0.05), perceived general stress ( β = − .376, t (329) = 5.793, p < 0.0001), age ( β = − .122, t (329) = -2.162, p < 0.05), and diagnostic age of autism ( β = − .187, t (329) = 3.187, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with assimilation (F (7,322) = 22.770, p < 0.0001, R 2 = 0.331). However, autistic traits and depressive and anxiety symptoms were not associated with assimilation. After controlling for general environmental factors, mental health conditions, and personal attributes, the results of the mediation effect analysis showed that ableist microaggressions did not directly affect assimilation; however, external acceptance autism and loneliness indirectly mediated this relationship (Effect = 0.012, 95% CI [0.005, 0.021]). The indirect effects on the other pathways were not significant. Figure 5. Discussion This study examined how external and internal autism acceptance, as well as loneliness, mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage among autistic adults, guided by the Autistic Identity Contingencies Model.After controlling for personal attributes, ableist microaggressions were positively associated with three social camouflage phenotypes—compensation, masking, and assimilation—functioning as distal minority stressors. Loneliness, a proximity minority stressor, was positively correlated only with assimilation. After controlling for personal attributes, general stress, and mental health conditions, external autism acceptance and loneliness significantly mediated the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, while internal acceptance showed no significant effect. Social camouflage due to ableism microaggressions This study explores how ableist microaggressions, functioning as minority stressors, influence coping responses to autistic identity contingencies, often focusing on stigmatized behaviors rather than an autistic personal identity. Grounded in the dual empathy problem (Milton, 2012 ), the findings reveal that ableism encountered in interactions with non-autistic groups perpetuates social camouflage. Drawing from the social model of disability (Oliver, 2013 ), the study connects mental health disparities in autism to systemic ableism, emphasizing the need to address external social barriers to reduce minority stress. Expanding on the minority stress model in autism (Botha & Frost, 2020 ), this study identifies ableist microaggressions as significant external factors shaping social camouflage, with its origins rooted more in stigmatized behaviors than in an autistic personal identity. In response to these stressors, autistic adults adopt social camouflage to meet societal expectations and navigate imposed constraints. Future research should investigate these causal mechanisms and prioritize improving the person-environment fit rather than focusing solely on transforming autistic identity (Klein & Macoun, 2025 ). Additionally, given that autistic individuals often experience both ableism and intersectional oppression, future studies should examine the 'double discrimination' effect on social camouflage through the lens of autism intersectionality (Davis et al., 2022 ; Mallipeddi & VanDaalen, 2022 ). Assimilation differs from compensation and masking Assimilation, characterized by the active expression of non-autistic characteristics, is uniquely driven by threats to social autistic identity and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. Compensation involves adapting behaviors to align with societal expectations, whereas masking conceals autistic characteristics to evade stigma (J. Cook et al., 2022 ; Hull et al., 2019 ). Both strategies underscore the pervasive stigma surrounding autism and highlight the urgent need for environments free from systemic ableism. Drawing on regulatory focus theory (Higgins, 1997 ; Shah et al., 2004 ), this funding suggests that the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage can be conceptualized as compensation and masking reflecting promotion-focused strategies aimed at overcoming social challenges, while assimilation represents a prevention-focused strategy defended to mitigate social identity threats and loneliness. Consistent with systematic reviews of autistic identity, this funding supports the notion that a positive autistic identity is not solely shaped by individual factors but is profoundly influenced by external factors (Davies et al., 2024 ). Future research should explore the functional heterogeneities of compensation, masking, and assimilation and their impacts on the mental health of autistic individuals. Comparative studies have revealed cross-cultural differences in social camouflage and mental health: in the UK, social camouflage tends to negatively correlate with mental health, whereas in Japan, moderate levels of camouflage appear to support mental health, with excessive camouflage exacerbating mental health challenges (Oshima et al., 2024 ). Japan's relatively low autism acceptance, shaped by collectivist and verticalist cultural norms (Atherton et al., 2023 ; Keating et al., 2024 ), may make masking and compensation more effective for maintaining mental health in this context. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how cultural and contextual factors shape the three camouflage phenotypes and their impact on mental health in autism (Golson et al., 2022 ; Leeuw et al., 2020 ). Theoretical contributions To address the theoretical gap in understanding the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage phenotypes arising from ableist microaggressions, functioning as minority stressors, this study proposes the Autistic Identity Contingencies model. This model integrates the minority stress model with social identity theory and regulatory focus theory. This model reveals how social dynamics shape perceptions and treatment of autistic individuals and how, given their functional heterogeneity, they navigate these dynamics. While traditional theories often attribute social camouflage to internal conflicts stemming from autism-related stigma, they overlook the interplay of individualistic and collectivistic strategies in shaping these behaviors (Perry et al., 2022 ; Rivera & Bennetto, 2023 ). This study posits that social camouflage primarily originates from stigmatized behaviors, such as responses to ableist microaggressions, rather than from stigmatized personal identity. Autistic adults may adapt the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage to align with social expectations and constraints driven by stigmatized behaviors, using both individualistic and collectivistic strategies. Future research should investigate these causal mechanisms further and emphasize the importance of enhancing person-environment fit over efforts focused on internal transformation. This study advocates for reconceptualizing autism-related challenges as socially driven outcomes of person–environment interactions rather than inherent individual impairments (Klein & Macoun, 2025 ). By identifying assimilation as a coping strategy for autistic social identity threat, the findings challenge prevailing assumptions, such as deficits in social motivation (Chevallier et al., 2012 ) and theory of mind (Baron-Cohen, 2000 ). Specifically, the study suggests that autistic adults engage in assimilation to cope with low external autism acceptance and loneliness driven by ableist microaggressions, thereby contradicting the notion that autistic individuals inherently lack theory of mind (Gernsbacher & Yergeau, 2019 ). Furthermore, social motivation theory, which claims that autistic children display reduced interest in social engagement, fails to account for the sophisticated social cognitive processes observed in autistic individuals, such as monitoring social environments and regulating behavior (J. Cook et al., 2021 ; Livingston et al., 2020 ). This assertion is supported by findings of non-significant group differences in objective deliberation performance in social reasoning tasks (Bastan et al., 2024 ), suggesting that these complex social reasoning processes play a significant role in developing coping strategies for the autistic social identity threat. This study calls for future research to shift its focus toward the social inequalities faced by neurominorities in interactions with non-autistic individuals. Clinical implications Our findings bridge the gap between theory and practice by suggesting that future interventions should focus on modifying interpersonal environmental factors that threaten autistic social identity and contribute to minority stress, rather than emphasizing changes to personal identity. Shifting the context to promote healthier decisions, as outlined in the health impact pyramid (Frieden, 2010 ), is more effective in reaching broader society with less individual effort. This can be achieved by embracing diverse communication styles, fostering inclusive, mixed-neurotype environments, and minimizing misunderstandings between non-autistic groups (Cook J. M. et al., 2023). Clinically, interventions aligned with non-autistic norms may inadvertently reinforce social camouflage. Adopting JEDI approaches—affirming neurodiversity, promoting self-advocacy, and integrating cultural humility—is vital for addressing mental health inequities and supporting neurodiverse communities(Allen et al., 2024 ; Hotez et al., 2024 ; Leadbitter et al., 2021 ). Clinicians should also recognize the harm caused by social camouflage and reframe dysfunction as interpersonal trauma from minority stressors, such as ableist microaggressions, not as an internal issue(Rivera & Bennetto, 2023 ; Sweeney et al., 2016 ). To address mental health inequalities, the focus must shift from internal autism acceptance to transforming the person-environment fit. This approach acknowledges that mental health challenges stem from external pressures rather than individual deficits (Klein & Macoun, 2025 ; Mandy, 2019 ). Study limitations First, given this study’s cross-sectional design, future studies should conduct longitudinal studies to show the temporal relationships between variables. Second, as the study was conducted on Japanese autistic adults, findings may be restricted to the Japanese socio-cultural context. Third, although this study focused on social camouflage in adults with diagnosed or self-identified autism, future research should replicate these findings in adults with undiagnosed or self-identified autism. Fourth, as this study focused on early adulthood, future research should examine children, adolescents, and older adults. Fifth, our findings focused only on autistic identities but should be extended to individuals with intersectional minorities in future research. Finally, online recruitment methods may have led to a biased sample, with access to online employment information networks targeting neurodevelopmental conditions. Future research should utilize a variety of recruitment strategies to test the generalizability of our findings to individuals with diverse demographics. Conclusion Autistic identity contingencies drive social camouflage as a coping strategy for minority stressors, triggered by ableist microaggressions in autism. Among the three social camouflage phenotypes, assimilation is uniquely shaped by social autistic identity threat and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. This highlights that social camouflage responds more to stigmatized behaviours than personal autistic identity. To alleviate minority stress, interventions should focus on external factors threatening social autistic identity, fostering inclusive interpersonal environments, and combating ableism. Understanding these social dynamics is essential for reducing mental health inequalities in autism by addressing the interpersonal environmental factors that contribute to minority stress and threaten social autistic identity. References Albarello, F., Crocetti, E., & Rubini, M. (2018). 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Education Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fumito","middleName":"","lastName":"Takahashi","suffix":""},{"id":410096321,"identity":"1af0fd82-09f2-4d0a-8398-3d7ab10538d4","order_by":2,"name":"Makoto Wada","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Developmental Disorders Section, Department of Rehabilitation for Brain Functions, Research Institute of National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities, Tokorozawa City, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Makoto","middleName":"","lastName":"Wada","suffix":""},{"id":410096322,"identity":"42ee11b4-3200-4dc9-aba1-2deb93effdd2","order_by":3,"name":"Hikari N Takashina","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hikari","middleName":"N","lastName":"Takashina","suffix":""},{"id":410096323,"identity":"9404a452-5a7e-4184-a4ae-903fdca09543","order_by":4,"name":"Midori Ueda","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Midori","middleName":"","lastName":"Ueda","suffix":""},{"id":410096324,"identity":"e8e4be3e-4ecf-474c-a61a-b6c713a3bce9","order_by":5,"name":"Yasuo Kawaguchi","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Department of psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yasuo","middleName":"","lastName":"Kawaguchi","suffix":""},{"id":410096325,"identity":"526e77de-5e0b-4721-b60d-85604455bf20","order_by":6,"name":"Masamitsu Kawashima","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Masamitsu","middleName":"","lastName":"Kawashima","suffix":""},{"id":410096326,"identity":"38e11fa9-c5d3-4b94-bf76-362a6729e5fc","order_by":7,"name":"Takeo Kato","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Takeo","middleName":"","lastName":"Kato","suffix":""},{"id":410096327,"identity":"8343e359-0de0-46d5-a5f5-bb3666fdc9f5","order_by":8,"name":"Shinichiro Ogawa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Awarefy Inc.","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shinichiro","middleName":"","lastName":"Ogawa","suffix":""},{"id":410096328,"identity":"c6f5f037-f806-4149-b3c1-003ea7d0cd69","order_by":9,"name":"Kenji Tsuchiya","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Research Center for Child Mental Development, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Kenji","middleName":"","lastName":"Tsuchiya","suffix":""},{"id":410096329,"identity":"18bbda39-2861-43f6-a403-292cca13b643","order_by":10,"name":"Fumiyo Oshima","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA60lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBAC9gYGhgMghgEzkPgAxGzsBLTwHEDSwjgDpIWZCC1gYADEzDwgFkEtEtmJh3kqbOzN2bkTP9v82ibPx8zA+OFjDj4tuRsO85xJS9zZzLtZOrfvtmEbMwOz5MxtuLXYg7Twth1OMDjMu0E6t+c2I1ALGzMvHi08UC32QC2bf1v23LYnWgsjkNwmzfDjdiJhLTxvNxycA/QLSItlb8Pt5DZmxma8fuFhz9384Q0wxAzOn91848ef27bz25sPfviIRwsIMPHAWIxtYLIBv3qQkh9w5h+CikfBKBgFo2AEAgCxNlIs03x/swAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Research Center for Child Mental Development, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fumiyo","middleName":"","lastName":"Oshima","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-02-02 11:06:38","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":true,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true,"humanSubjectConsent":true,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":75417701,"identity":"f00293f5-a3b1-4b2f-a59a-e8b91864732e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:10:39","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":395368,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eConceptual framework of Autistic Identity Contingencies Model\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure1ConceptualframeworkofAutisticIdentityContingenciesModel.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/be583c6f6b0b9e9710db477f.png"},{"id":75417707,"identity":"d986d9dc-a5cf-4e07-9603-b5293be30785","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:10:40","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":363416,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eHeatmap Representation of Correlation Analysis\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote. To visualize the relationships between variables, along with the means and standard deviations for each variable, we utilized a heatmap of the correlation matrix. This heatmap provides an intuitive overview of the strength and direction of correlations, with color intensity representing the magnitude of the correlation coefficients. Warmer colors (orange) indicate strong positive correlations, while cooler colors (blue) signify strong negative correlations.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;** p \u0026lt; 0.01, *** p \u0026lt; 0.001\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure2HeatmapRepresentationofCorrelationAnalysis.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/d53892763f5605ed6f7617c0.png"},{"id":75417705,"identity":"473da64b-ceb0-43a8-951c-e0ae92410a11","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:10:40","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":641016,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eRaincloud Plots of Social Camouflage Phenotypes Across Demographic Groups\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote. The distribution of data for the three social camouflage phenotypes across groups with varying demographic variables (gender, educational history, and employment status) is presented using multiple raincloud plots. These plots provide a comprehensive visualization by integrating density distributions (\"clouds\"), box plots, and individual data points (\"rain\"), allowing for a depiction of central tendency, variability, and potential outliers within each subgroup. \"Other\" for gender includes transgender, non-binary, or prefer not to say, while \"Other\" for employment status refers to being in social welfare services for employment, training, or job hunting.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure3.RaincloudPlotsofSocialCamouflagePhenotypesAcrossDemographicGroups.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/a3ff3e07c217df282ddd9e51.png"},{"id":75417708,"identity":"304e5f2b-f7c3-4977-a37e-fa6ff21279f5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:10:40","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":769639,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePartial regression plots\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote. Relationship between (a) ableist microaggression and compensation; (b) ableist microaggression and masking; (c) ableist microaggression and assimilation; (d) loneliness and assimilation.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure4Partialregressionplots.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/c4bb6c4cbe55ab8d69028bd7.png"},{"id":75417704,"identity":"e4667800-0879-4d81-95e1-b297ac04bd4d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:10:40","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":29110,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eChain mediation model of autism acceptance and loneliness in ableist microaggressions and assimilation\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote. All values are standardised regression coefficients. *** p \u0026lt; .001.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"Figure5Chainmediationmodelofautismacceptanceandlonelinessinableistmicroaggressionsandassimilation.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/a0fb12717bedf2eeb1e0aa36.png"},{"id":75418916,"identity":"1e36a769-4aa5-4fd1-a1e7-c0d1fe55bf87","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-02-04 10:26:42","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3577250,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5945464/v1/1f9b939f-1439-4d51-b4a4-92055e046628.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstanding Autistic Identity Contingencies: The Chain Mediation Effect of Autism Acceptance and Loneliness in Ableist Microaggressions and Social Camouflage\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAutism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by unique strengths and challenges in social communication and interaction, while autistic individuals often display intensely focused interests and heightened sensitivity to sensory stimulation throughout their lifespans (Gillespie-Lynch et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Robertson, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e). Autistic adults face mental health inequalities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide compared to the non-autistic population (Lai, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Lai et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), partly driven by minority stress stemming from their neurominority status. Minority stress in autism, driven by stigma around autistic identity, increases physical and mental strain over time, worsening mental health (Botha \u0026amp; Frost, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). Autistic identity, encompassing both a social identity as a member of the autistic community and a personal identity that integrates autism as a core part of oneself, is closely linked to mental health ( K. Cooper et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; R. Cooper et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e ).However, the interpersonal environmental factors that threaten autistic identity and activate minority stress, along with their impact on coping strategies in autism, remain poorly understood.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how autistic identity contingencies shape the expectations and conditions imposed by non-autistic groups, while influencing coping strategies through minority stress activation, is crucial. Social identity contingencies\u0026mdash;encompassing stereotypes, judgments, opportunities, restrictions, and treatments tied to one\u0026rsquo;s social identity\u0026mdash;are pivotal in determining whether minority groups perceive their interpersonal environments as threatening or safe (Steele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR68\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002a\u003c/span\u003e). In various minority groups (e.g., racial, ethnic, and gender minorities), such contingencies affect coping strategies through activated minority stress, contributing to mental health inequalities (Geronimus et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e; Hatzenbuehler et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2009\u003c/span\u003e; Purdie-Vaughns et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2008\u003c/span\u003e). However, the coping pressures stemming from the autistic identity contingencies remain unexplored (Botha \u0026amp; Frost, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Rivera \u0026amp; Bennetto, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) public health practice recommends addressing identity-threatening environments rather than focusing on personal factors, advocating that preventing the repeated activation of minority stressors could mitigate mental health inequities (Geronimus et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). To reduce mental health inequalities in autism, efforts should prioritize addressing identity-threatening environments that activate minority stress, rather than seeking to change autistic individuals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSocial camouflage as a coping strategy for autism-related stigma\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAutistic individuals engage in social camouflage to conceal their characteristics and adapt to the non-autistic group, enabling them to secure employment and education and avoid harassment or victimization(Cage \u0026amp; Troxell-Whitman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; J. Cook et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Social camouflage contributes to mental health inequities in autism, being linked to increased burnout, anxiety, depression, stress, and suicidality (Cassidy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Zhuang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR74\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Social camouflage includes masking autistic in social situations, compensating for the social differences between autistic and non-autistic adults, and assimilating into the non-autistic group, each impacting mental health differently(Cassidy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). However, the underlying mechanisms linking minority stress and social camouflage remain poorly understood.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding how minority stress influences social camouflage, autism acceptance, and loneliness in autistic adults is essential for addressing these challenges effectively. Previous studies have explored autism acceptance as a protective factor against social camouflage(Cage et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e; Perry et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Autism acceptance, encompassing both external and internal acceptance, refers to the feeling of being valued or appreciated as an autistic individual, recognizing autism as an integral part of one's identity(Cage et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). While some studies have found associations between low levels of external and internal acceptance and social camouflage(Zhuang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR74\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), others reported no such relationship(Keating et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). These inconsistent findings suggest that an additional variable, such as loneliness, may mediate the relationship between autism acceptance and social camouflage. Loneliness, a painful emotional response to the gap between actual and desired relationships (Peplau \u0026amp; Perlman, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1982\u003c/span\u003e), is linked to low autism acceptance and increased social camouflage in autistic adults(Elmose, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Hwang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Milner et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, it is essential to clarify the roles that autism acceptance and loneliness play in how minority stress influences social camouflage.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClarifying whether social camouflage in autism is driven by stigmatized personal identity or stigmatized behaviours is essential for understanding autistic identity contingencies. Previous research utilizing social identity theory suggests that social camouflage among autistic adults arises as a response to autism-related stigma(Perry et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Tamura et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR73\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). While stigmatized personal identity internalizes prejudice by burdening marginalized autistic adults with the responsibility to change, stigmatized behaviours highlight the harmful impact of minority stress caused by oppressive institutions, beliefs, and practices on their mental health(Rivera \u0026amp; Bennetto, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Therefore, it is crucial to distinguish between stigmatized personal identity within the inner group and stigmatized behaviours resulting from minority stress imposed by the outer group. This understanding will help establish a theoretical foundation and inform intervention strategies aimed at fostering interpersonal environmental change to reduce mental health disparities in autism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMinority stressors of ableist microaggressions and social camouflage\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe minority stress model emphasizes that stress processes are deeply rooted in the environmental contexts where minority group members exist, explaining the unique stressors contributing to mental health inequalities between minority and majority groups (Meyer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). This model has been used to explore the link between minority stress and mental health outcomes in autistic adults. For instance, Botha and Frost (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e) found that minority stressors reduced well-being and increased psychological distress in autistic adults. However, their study did not specifically examine the impact of minority stress on social camouflage in autism.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecent research has explored ableist microaggressions on individuals with disabilities, including autistic adults(Aydemir-D\u0026ouml;ke \u0026amp; Herbert, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Ableism\u0026mdash;the belief in the superiority of neurotypical abilities\u0026mdash;encompasses discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities, often overlooked and regarded as the \u0026lsquo;last form of discrimination\u0026rsquo; in the Western world (Hartman et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). These ableist microaggressions, described as 'death by a thousand paper cuts'(Kattari, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), subtly reinforce ableism through brief insults based on disability status, contributing to minority stressors(Aydemir-D\u0026ouml;ke \u0026amp; Herbert, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Sue et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR70\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2007\u003c/span\u003e). While autistic adults experience both ableist microaggressions and loneliness, their roles in social camouflage remain insufficiently explored. The minority stress model distinguishes between distal stressors, such as discrimination and harassment, and proximal stressors, which are internal, subjective responses to these stressors(Elmer et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Ableist microaggressions act as distal stressors, negatively impacting mental health and intensifying negative emotions (Aydemir-D\u0026ouml;ke \u0026amp; Herbert, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Kattari, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, research on sexual minorities found that loneliness, as a proximal minority stressor, leads individuals to camouflage their minority characteristics, which, while reducing social exclusion, hinders the development of fulfilling relationships(Elmer et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). However, the role of loneliness in ableist microaggressions and social camouflage in autistic adults remain unclear. Understanding these stressors is key to uncovering autistic identity contingencies, addressing identity-threatening environments, and reducing mental health inequalities without placing the burden on individuals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAutistic Identity Contingencies Model\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe novel Autistic Identity Contingencies Model proposed in this study aims to elucidate the functional heterogeneity of social camouflage, which result from the minority stressors of ableist microaggressions. Grounded in social identity theory (Tajfel \u0026amp; Turner, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR72\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e), this model uniquely combines minority stress theory (Meyer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e) and regulatory focus theory (Higgins, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e) to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the identity threats faced by autistic individuals and their coping strategies. Rivera and Bennetto's (2023) identity-based theoretical framework further enriches this understanding by highlighting how minority stressors contribute to social camouflage in autism. The minority stress model explains how the disparities between stigmatized minority groups and the majority contribute to mental health disparities (Meyer, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2003\u003c/span\u003e). Traditional autism research based on social identity theory has primarily focused on intragroup belonging and mental health, often overlooking the social identity threats encountered during interactions with non-autistic groups(Rivera \u0026amp; Bennetto, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Social identity threat occurs when an inner group's positive image is undermined by negative stereotypes, devaluation, or external stigmatization (Steele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR69\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2002b\u003c/span\u003e). Although research has emphasized the role of social identity threat in sustaining inequalities, there is still a notable gap in understanding the specific social identity threats faced by autistic individuals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn addition, despite the distinct mental health associations of the three social camouflage phenotypes\u0026mdash;compensation, masking, and assimilation\u0026mdash;the functional heterogeneity of these coping strategies in the context of minority stress is underexplored. Assimilation involves the systematic suppression of autistic traits in favor of active expression of non-autistic traits to fit into social environments, and it is associated with loneliness (Cassidy et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e; Klein \u0026amp; Macoun, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Regulatory focus theory, when applied to intergroup discrimination, identifies two self-regulatory systems: promotion focus, which emphasizes nurturance to address challenges, and prevention focus, which emphasizes security to avoid threats (Higgins, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e; Shah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e). In this context, compensation and masking may reflect promotion-focused strategies aimed at overcoming social challenges, while assimilation may reflect a prevention-focused strategy aimed at defensing social identity threats and loneliness. Although empirical research is limited, the Autistic Identity Contingencies Model provides a comprehensive framework for understanding how minority stressors of ableist microaggressions contribute to the functional heterogeneity of social camouflage phenotypes in autism (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFigure 1.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAim and hypotheses\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study examines autistic identity contingencies, focusing on how external and internal autism acceptance, along with loneliness, shape coping responses to ableist microaggressions among autistic adults. Social camouflage phenotypes\u0026mdash;coping mechanisms for minority stressors linked to stigmatized behaviors or personal identities\u0026mdash;remain underexplored in this context, particularly regarding their functional heterogeneities. Understanding these dynamics is critical to determining whether interventions should target autistic individuals directly or focus on modifying external factors to better align with their interpersonal environments. Furthermore, Japan's low external and internal autism acceptance compared to Western countries, combined with the unique social challenges of early adulthood, underscores the importance of addressing Western sample biases by including Japanese individuals with diverse educational levels and employment backgrounds(K. Cooper et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Hirota et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Keating et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Rydzewska et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). This study hypothesizes that autistic adults who experience a high frequency of ableist microaggressions, low external autism acceptance, and high loneliness are more likely to engage in social camouflage, including compensation, masking, and assimilation. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that low external autism acceptance and high loneliness sequentially mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation among autistic adults.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eParticipants\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study included 330 autistic adults, who were recruited via the LITALICO Job Navi online bulletin board, one of Japan's largest online job platforms for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. LITALICO, a Japanese company supporting people with disabilities, hosts this platform, which offers free registration and serves a wide range of autistic adults, including those not using its support services. The inclusion criteria were being 18\u0026ndash;39 years old Japanese adults, self-identifying as autism and diagnosed with autism spectrum condition by psychiatrists or paediatricians. The participants self-reported their autism spectrum condition diagnosis.The sample size was determined using G*Power 7 with an alpha level of 0.05 and 80% power for multiple linear regression, requiring at least 316 participants to ensure that 10 predictors explained at least a 2\u0026ndash;3% increase in the variance of the dependent variable (f\u0026sup2; = 0.025); considering potential data attrition, the study was designed for 330 participants. The Research Ethics Committee of a local university in Japan approved this study. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e presents the demographic characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipant demographic characteristics\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eValue\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNationality and ethnicity (Japanese): n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e330 (100%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"4\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge: mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.12 (5.60)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender: n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e137 (41.52%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWomen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e153 (46.36%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther (transgender, non-binary, or prefer not to say)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40 (12.12%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"8\" rowspan=\"9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocioeconomic status\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal years of educational history: mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.45 (2.20)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" morerows=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003erange: years (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96 (29.09%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u0026ndash;16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e214 (64.85%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20 (6.06%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCurrently employed: n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e166 (50.30%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnemployed: n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e154 (46.67%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther (receiving social welfare services for\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eemployment, training, or job hunting): n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10 (3.03%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal years of work experience: mean (SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.25(5.20)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003erange\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u0026ndash;32\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"20\" rowspan=\"21\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMental health\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003econditions: n (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReceiving treatment at a mental health clinic\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28 (8.48%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMultiple diagnosis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e218 (66.06%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSchizophrenia\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (1.52%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePersonality disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (0.61%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDisorders of intellectual development\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (0.61%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDevelopmental learning disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (1.52%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73 (22.12%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBipolar or related disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39 (11.82%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDepressive disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e81 (24.55%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDysthymic disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (1.21%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocial anxiety disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (2.73%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnxiety and fear-related disorders\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(Generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12 (3.64%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eObsessive-compulsive disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4 (1.21%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdjustment disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21 (6.36%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDissociative neurological symptom disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3 (0.91%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComplex post-traumatic stress disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (0.61%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBodily distress disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1 (0.30%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnorexia nervosa/Bulimia nervosa\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (1.82%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSleep-wake disorder\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9 (2.73%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEpilepsy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2 (0.61%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnclassifiable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6 (1.82%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eMaterials and procedure\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation was voluntary, and informed consent was obtained prior to participation. Participants completed an online questionnaire survey using the Qualtrics Survey Platform.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbleist Microaggressions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Ableist Microaggressions Impact Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to measure ableist microaggression impact (Aydemir-D\u0026ouml;ke \u0026amp; Herbert, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). he 25-item measure assesses participants\u0026rsquo; daily life experiences with ableist microaggressions they may have encountered. The total scores ranged from 0 to 100. The internal consistency in this study was excellent (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.94).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAutism acceptance\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Autism Acceptance Questions (AAQ) was used to measure external and internal autism acceptance (Cage et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). External autism acceptance was scored using the average scores for the item of autism acceptance from family and friends and the item of autism acceptance from society. External and internal autism acceptance scores ranged from 0 to 10. The internal consistency in this study was acceptable (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.61).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSocial camouflaging\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) was used to measure autistic adults\u0026rsquo; social camouflaging experiences (Hongo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The CAT-Q comprises 25 items across three subscales: compensation (9 items α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.84), masking (8 items α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.80), and assimilation (8 items α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.77). The total scores ranged from 25 to 175. The internal consistency in this study was good.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eLoneliness\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale short version was used to measure loneliness (Arimoto \u0026amp; Tadaka, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Participants rated how often they experienced the 10 items on a four-point Likert scale. The total scores ranged from 10 to 40. The internal consistency in this study was good (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.82).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eGeneral stress\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure perceived general stress(Cohen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1983\u003c/span\u003e). Participants were asked to indicate the frequency of the condition they had experienced in the past month for 14 items. The total scores ranged from 0 to 56. The internal consistency in this study was good (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.83).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDepression\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure depressive symptoms(Kroenke et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2001\u003c/span\u003e). Total scores ranging from 0 to 27 points. The internal consistency in this study was good (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.89).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAnxiety\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 scale was used to measure anxiety symptoms(Spitzer et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2006\u003c/span\u003e). Total scores ranging from 0 to 21 points. The internal consistency in this study was excellent (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.90).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Japanese version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient short term was used to measure autistic traits (Kurita et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2005\u003c/span\u003e). The scale comprised four items, with one point assigned for choosing two options from the side considered to have autistic traits for each item. The total scores ranged from 0 to 10. The internal consistency in this study was acceptable (α\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.62).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDesign and data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional study used a correlational design. Data at cross-sectional time points were included in the analysis, depending on the purpose of this study, as the analysis data came from a longitudinal survey research project. Data at cross-sectional time points from this study did not exclude. The outcome variable was social camouflaging (compensation, masking, or assimilation scores on the CAT-Q), and the main predictor variables of interest were ableist microaggression, autism acceptance (external acceptance or internal acceptance scores on the AAQ), and loneliness. Data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29 with the PROCESS macro add-on version 4.3 (Hayes, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo test Hypothesis 1, hierarchical regression models predicting compensation, masking, and assimilation, along with partial regression plots, were tested.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndividual attributes (age, age at diagnosis, autism traits) were assessed using multiple regression analysis with independent variables. As all three have been associated with camouflage in previous studies (Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Perry et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), these variables were controlled. To regrade gender in social camouflage, significant differences were found in the UK sample (Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Perry et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), but not in the Japanese sample (Hongo et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Oshima et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo test Hypothesis 2, the chain mediation model was tested using Model 6(Hayes, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). We computed 95% confidence intervals for the indirect effects obtained from the bias-corrected bootstrap estimates with a sample size of 10,000. These intervals were considered significant at a p-value of 0.05 if the range of the 95% confidence interval did not encompass zero(Hayes \u0026amp; Scharkow, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). With reference to generalizability of the minority stress model(Botha \u0026amp; Frost, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), the model was tested based on individual attributes (as above), mental health conditions (depression and anxiety symptoms) and perceived general stress, controlled as covariates.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eTo visualize the relationships between variables, along with the means and standard deviations for each variable, we utilized a heatmap of the correlation matrix (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFigure 2.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe distribution of data for the three social camouflage phenotypes across groups with varying demographic variables (gender, educational history, and employment status) is presented using multiple Raincloud plots (Fig.\u0026nbsp;3). No significant differences were observed across these groups.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFigure 3.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eHierarchical regression results with compensation (Model 1)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompensation was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 1.2% of the variance in personal attribute variables, and adding ableist microaggression impact as predictors in step two explained 13.1% of the variance, which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Adding external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 13.2% of the variance, which was not significant. Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 13.5% of the variance, which was significant. The final model showed a significant fit with the data (F (7, 322)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;7.162, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). The final model of compensation (Model 1) indicated that the ableist microaggression impact significantly predicted compensation scores (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).Partial regression plots revealed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, compensation scores increased with increasing ableist microaggressions (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2a).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eHierarchical regression results with masking (Model 2)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMasking was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 3.2% of the variance in personal attribute variables, and adding ableist microaggressions as a predictor in step two explained 9.2% of the variance, which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Adding the external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 9.4% of the variance, which was not significant. Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 9.4% of the variance, which was not significant. The final model was a significant fit to the data (F (7, 322)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;4.793, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). This final model of masking (Model 2) showed that autistic traits and ableist microaggressions significantly predicted masking scores (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Partial regression plots revealed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, masking scores increased with increasing ableist microaggressions (Fig.\u0026nbsp;2b).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eHierarchical regression results with assimilation as the outcome variable (Model 3)\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssimilation was considered as the outcome variable; the first step explained 7.6% of the variance in personal attribute variables, diagnostic age of autism and autistic traits which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Adding the ableist microaggressions as the predictor in step two explained 15.7% of the variance, which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Adding external and internal autism acceptance as predictors in step three explained 24.0% of the variance, which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). Adding loneliness as a predictor in step four explained 35.1% of the variance, which was significant (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). The final model showed a significant fit with the data (F (7, 322)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;24.874, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001). This final model of assimilation (Model 3) indicated that age, diagnostic age of autism, autistic traits, ableist microaggression, and loneliness significantly predicted assimilation scores (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).Partial regression plots showed that after controlling for personal attribute variables, assimilation scores increased with increasing ableist microaggression and loneliness scores. (Figs.\u0026nbsp;2c and 2d).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHierarchical regression models predicting compensation, masking, and assimilation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"12\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eβ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDF\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelta F\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eR\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDelta R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 1 (Compensation)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.296\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.296\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.673\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.644\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.432\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.131\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.119\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.098\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.816\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.043\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.835\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.354\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.666\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.270\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.132\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.131\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.058\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.823\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.040\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.766\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.360\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.246\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism acceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.039\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.699\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.162\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.977\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.104\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.063\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.955\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.653\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.366\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.316\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.491\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.595\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.065\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.988\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 2 (Masking)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.573\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.050\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.573\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.050\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.032\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.079\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.037\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.564\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.171\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.240\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.567\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.060\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.809\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.620\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.176\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.325\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.252\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.644\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.608\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.403\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.094\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.781\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.571\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.174\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.254\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.251\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.023\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.381\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.051\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.892\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.793\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.094\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.000\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.780\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.564\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.173\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.221\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.251\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.236\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.369\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.050\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.878\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-0.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"12\" nameend=\"c12\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eModel 3 (Assimilation)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.946\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.946\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.076\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.076\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.786\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.228\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.519\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.466\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.119\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.156\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.157\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.081\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-2.698\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.309\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.850\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.179\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.497\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.292\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.582\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.768\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.240\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.084\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.189\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.163\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.265\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.327\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.151\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.091\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.174\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.228\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.271\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-4.817\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.793\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.874\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.827\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.351\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.168\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-3.042\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnostic age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.205\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.579\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAutistic traits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.114\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.506\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.651\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.904\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternal\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eautism\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eacceptance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.057\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e-1.174\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003en.s.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoneliness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.424\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.404\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFigure 4.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eChain mediation model\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eExternal autism acceptance and loneliness had a chain mediating effect on the relationship between ableist microaggression and social camouflage (assimilation), supporting Hypothesis 2.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study computed the model for external autism acceptance as the first mediator (M1), internal acceptance of autism as the second mediator (M2), and loneliness as the third mediator (M3) in the mediation chain. The regression analysis demonstrated that ableist microaggressions was significantly correlated with (M1) external acceptance autism (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.360, t (329) = -6.997, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.130). Next, we computed the analyses for (M2) internal autism acceptance as the second mediator. Ableist microaggressions was not significantly correlated with (M2) internal autism acceptance, and (M1) external autism acceptance was significantly correlated with (M2) internal autism acceptance (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.351, t (329)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;6.333, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.128). We then computed the analyses for (M3) loneliness as the third mediator. Ableist microaggressions was not significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness; (M1) external autism acceptance was significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.540, t (329) = -10.764, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.363); and (M2) internal autism acceptance was not significantly correlated with (M3) loneliness. Finally, we computed the analyses for assimilation as the outcome variable and as the third mediator. Ableist microaggressions and external and internal autism acceptance were not significantly associated with assimilation; and loneliness was significantly associated with assimilation (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.469, t (329)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;8.108, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.307). The effects of ableist microaggression on (M1) external autism acceptance, (M2) internal autism acceptance, and (M3) loneliness were not significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of the mediation effect analysis showed that ableist microaggression did not directly affect assimilation; however, external autism acceptance and loneliness indirectly mediated this relationship (Effect\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.033, 95% CI [0.020, 0.050]). The indirect effects on the other pathways were not significant. Thus, the results revealed a chain mediation of external autism acceptance and loneliness on the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, after controlling for the general environmental factor (perceived general stress), mental health conditions (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and personal attribute variables (age, age of autism diagnosis, and autistic traits), the results of the regression analysis showed that ableist microaggressions (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.127, t (329)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.410, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), perceived general stress (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.376, t (329)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.793, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001), age (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.122, t (329) = -2.162, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), and diagnostic age of autism (\u003cem\u003eβ\u003c/em\u003e = \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;.187, t (329)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;3.187, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.01) were significantly associated with assimilation (F (7,322)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22.770, \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.331). However, autistic traits and depressive and anxiety symptoms were not associated with assimilation. After controlling for general environmental factors, mental health conditions, and personal attributes, the results of the mediation effect analysis showed that ableist microaggressions did not directly affect assimilation; however, external acceptance autism and loneliness indirectly mediated this relationship (Effect\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.012, 95% CI [0.005, 0.021]). The indirect effects on the other pathways were not significant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eFigure 5.\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined how external and internal autism acceptance, as well as loneliness, mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage among autistic adults, guided by the Autistic Identity Contingencies Model.After controlling for personal attributes, ableist microaggressions were positively associated with three social camouflage phenotypes\u0026mdash;compensation, masking, and assimilation\u0026mdash;functioning as distal minority stressors. Loneliness, a proximity minority stressor, was positively correlated only with assimilation. After controlling for personal attributes, general stress, and mental health conditions, external autism acceptance and loneliness significantly mediated the relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, while internal acceptance showed no significant effect.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec24\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSocial camouflage due to ableism microaggressions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study explores how ableist microaggressions, functioning as minority stressors, influence coping responses to autistic identity contingencies, often focusing on stigmatized behaviors rather than an autistic personal identity. Grounded in the dual empathy problem (Milton, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e), the findings reveal that ableism encountered in interactions with non-autistic groups perpetuates social camouflage. Drawing from the social model of disability (Oliver, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e), the study connects mental health disparities in autism to systemic ableism, emphasizing the need to address external social barriers to reduce minority stress. Expanding on the minority stress model in autism (Botha \u0026amp; Frost, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), this study identifies ableist microaggressions as significant external factors shaping social camouflage, with its origins rooted more in stigmatized behaviors than in an autistic personal identity. In response to these stressors, autistic adults adopt social camouflage to meet societal expectations and navigate imposed constraints.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture research should investigate these causal mechanisms and prioritize improving the person-environment fit rather than focusing solely on transforming autistic identity (Klein \u0026amp; Macoun, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). Additionally, given that autistic individuals often experience both ableism and intersectional oppression, future studies should examine the 'double discrimination' effect on social camouflage through the lens of autism intersectionality (Davis et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Mallipeddi \u0026amp; VanDaalen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec25\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAssimilation differs from compensation and masking\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssimilation, characterized by the active expression of non-autistic characteristics, is uniquely driven by threats to social autistic identity and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. Compensation involves adapting behaviors to align with societal expectations, whereas masking conceals autistic characteristics to evade stigma (J. Cook et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Hull et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Both strategies underscore the pervasive stigma surrounding autism and highlight the urgent need for environments free from systemic ableism. Drawing on regulatory focus theory (Higgins, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1997\u003c/span\u003e; Shah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR66\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2004\u003c/span\u003e), this funding suggests that the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage can be conceptualized as compensation and masking reflecting promotion-focused strategies aimed at overcoming social challenges, while assimilation represents a prevention-focused strategy defended to mitigate social identity threats and loneliness. Consistent with systematic reviews of autistic identity, this funding supports the notion that a positive autistic identity is not solely shaped by individual factors but is profoundly influenced by external factors (Davies et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFuture research should explore the functional heterogeneities of compensation, masking, and assimilation and their impacts on the mental health of autistic individuals. Comparative studies have revealed cross-cultural differences in social camouflage and mental health: in the UK, social camouflage tends to negatively correlate with mental health, whereas in Japan, moderate levels of camouflage appear to support mental health, with excessive camouflage exacerbating mental health challenges (Oshima et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e). Japan's relatively low autism acceptance, shaped by collectivist and verticalist cultural norms (Atherton et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Keating et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), may make masking and compensation more effective for maintaining mental health in this context. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how cultural and contextual factors shape the three camouflage phenotypes and their impact on mental health in autism (Golson et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Leeuw et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec26\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTheoretical contributions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo address the theoretical gap in understanding the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage phenotypes arising from ableist microaggressions, functioning as minority stressors, this study proposes the Autistic Identity Contingencies model. This model integrates the minority stress model with social identity theory and regulatory focus theory. This model reveals how social dynamics shape perceptions and treatment of autistic individuals and how, given their functional heterogeneity, they navigate these dynamics. While traditional theories often attribute social camouflage to internal conflicts stemming from autism-related stigma, they overlook the interplay of individualistic and collectivistic strategies in shaping these behaviors (Perry et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Rivera \u0026amp; Bennetto, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). This study posits that social camouflage primarily originates from stigmatized behaviors, such as responses to ableist microaggressions, rather than from stigmatized personal identity. Autistic adults may adapt the functional heterogeneities of social camouflage to align with social expectations and constraints driven by stigmatized behaviors, using both individualistic and collectivistic strategies. Future research should investigate these causal mechanisms further and emphasize the importance of enhancing person-environment fit over efforts focused on internal transformation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study advocates for reconceptualizing autism-related challenges as socially driven outcomes of person\u0026ndash;environment interactions rather than inherent individual impairments (Klein \u0026amp; Macoun, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e). By identifying assimilation as a coping strategy for autistic social identity threat, the findings challenge prevailing assumptions, such as deficits in social motivation (Chevallier et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and theory of mind (Baron-Cohen, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2000\u003c/span\u003e). Specifically, the study suggests that autistic adults engage in assimilation to cope with low external autism acceptance and loneliness driven by ableist microaggressions, thereby contradicting the notion that autistic individuals inherently lack theory of mind (Gernsbacher \u0026amp; Yergeau, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, social motivation theory, which claims that autistic children display reduced interest in social engagement, fails to account for the sophisticated social cognitive processes observed in autistic individuals, such as monitoring social environments and regulating behavior (J. Cook et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Livingston et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). This assertion is supported by findings of non-significant group differences in objective deliberation performance in social reasoning tasks (Bastan et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e), suggesting that these complex social reasoning processes play a significant role in developing coping strategies for the autistic social identity threat. This study calls for future research to shift its focus toward the social inequalities faced by neurominorities in interactions with non-autistic individuals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec27\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eClinical implications\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOur findings bridge the gap between theory and practice by suggesting that future interventions should focus on modifying interpersonal environmental factors that threaten autistic social identity and contribute to minority stress, rather than emphasizing changes to personal identity. Shifting the context to promote healthier decisions, as outlined in the health impact pyramid (Frieden, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2010\u003c/span\u003e), is more effective in reaching broader society with less individual effort. This can be achieved by embracing diverse communication styles, fostering inclusive, mixed-neurotype environments, and minimizing misunderstandings between non-autistic groups (Cook J. M. et al., 2023).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClinically, interventions aligned with non-autistic norms may inadvertently reinforce social camouflage. Adopting JEDI approaches\u0026mdash;affirming neurodiversity, promoting self-advocacy, and integrating cultural humility\u0026mdash;is vital for addressing mental health inequities and supporting neurodiverse communities(Allen et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Hotez et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Leadbitter et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Clinicians should also recognize the harm caused by social camouflage and reframe dysfunction as interpersonal trauma from minority stressors, such as ableist microaggressions, not as an internal issue(Rivera \u0026amp; Bennetto, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Sweeney et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR71\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2016\u003c/span\u003e). To address mental health inequalities, the focus must shift from internal autism acceptance to transforming the person-environment fit. This approach acknowledges that mental health challenges stem from external pressures rather than individual deficits (Klein \u0026amp; Macoun, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2025\u003c/span\u003e; Mandy, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec28\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStudy limitations\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFirst, given this study\u0026rsquo;s cross-sectional design, future studies should conduct longitudinal studies to show the temporal relationships between variables. Second, as the study was conducted on Japanese autistic adults, findings may be restricted to the Japanese socio-cultural context. Third, although this study focused on social camouflage in adults with diagnosed or self-identified autism, future research should replicate these findings in adults with undiagnosed or self-identified autism. Fourth, as this study focused on early adulthood, future research should examine children, adolescents, and older adults. Fifth, our findings focused only on autistic identities but should be extended to individuals with intersectional minorities in future research. Finally, online recruitment methods may have led to a biased sample, with access to online employment information networks targeting neurodevelopmental conditions. Future research should utilize a variety of recruitment strategies to test the generalizability of our findings to individuals with diverse demographics.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eAutistic identity contingencies drive social camouflage as a coping strategy for minority stressors, triggered by ableist microaggressions in autism. Among the three social camouflage phenotypes, assimilation is uniquely shaped by social autistic identity threat and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. This highlights that social camouflage responds more to stigmatized behaviours than personal autistic identity. To alleviate minority stress, interventions should focus on external factors threatening social autistic identity, fostering inclusive interpersonal environments, and combating ableism. Understanding these social dynamics is essential for reducing mental health inequalities in autism by addressing the interpersonal environmental factors that contribute to minority stress and threaten social autistic identity.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlbarello, F., Crocetti, E., \u0026amp; Rubini, M. (2018). I and Us: A Longitudinal Study on the Interplay of Personal and Social Identity in Adolescence. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Youth and Adolescence\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e47\u003c/em\u003e(4), 689\u0026ndash;702. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0791-4\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllen, L. L., Mellon, L. 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Psychology Press.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTamura, M., Cage, E., Perry, E., Hongo, M., Takahashi, T., Seto, M., Shimizu, E., \u0026amp; Oshima, F. (2024). Understanding Camouflaging, Stigma, and Mental Health for Autistic People in Japan. \u003cem\u003eAutism in Adulthood\u003c/em\u003e. https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0035\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZhuang, S., Tan, D. W., Reddrop, S., Dean, L., Maybery, M., \u0026amp; Magiati, I. (2023). Psychosocial factors associated with camouflaging in autistic people and its relationship with mental health and well-being: A mixed methods systematic review. \u003cem\u003eClinical Psychology Review\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e105\u003c/em\u003e, 102335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102335\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[{"identity":"d246867f-93f9-4993-a1e5-720ddd5388df","identifier":"10.13039/501100002241","name":"Japan Science and Technology Agency","awardNumber":"JPMJRS22K4","order_by":0}],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"Research Institute of Science and Technology for Society, Japan Science and Technology Agency ","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Adults, Environmental factors, Social cognition and social behavior, Social Camouflage, Social identity, Minority stress, Ableism, Microaggression, Autism acceptance, Loneliness","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eAbleist microaggressions\u0026mdash;subtle forms of disability-based discrimination\u0026mdash;serve as a key minority stressor. Amplified by autistic identity contingencies that shape how autistic identity is judged and treated in social contexts, these factors drive social camouflage in autistic adults, compelling them to conceal autistic characteristics for adapting to non-autistic groups, often resulting in negative mental health outcomes. This study proposes a novel Autistic Identity Contingencies Model to explore how autism acceptance and loneliness mediate the relationship between ableist microaggressions and social camouflage. An online survey of 330 autistic adults was conducted, followed by hierarchical multiple regression and chain mediation analyses. Results indicated that, ableist microaggressions positively predicted three social camouflage phenotypes: compensation, masking, and assimilation, with loneliness also predicting assimilation. Furthermore, after controlling for personal attributes, general stress and mental health conditions, less external autism acceptance and loneliness mediated the positive relationship between ableist microaggressions and assimilation, whereas internal autism acceptance showed no significant effect. Assimilation is uniquely shaped by autistic social identity threat and loneliness, distinguishing it from compensation and masking. These findings highlight social camouflage as responses to minority stressors driven by social autistic identity contingencies, rooted in stigmatized behaviors rather than in personal autistic identity.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Understanding Autistic Identity Contingencies: The Chain Mediation Effect of Autism Acceptance and Loneliness in Ableist Microaggressions and Social Camouflage","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-02-04 10:10:35","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5945464/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"b34d011b-582e-48a4-86c3-8b50acf0eed8","owner":[],"postedDate":"February 4th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":43726873,"name":"Psychology"},{"id":43726874,"name":"Psychiatry"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-02-04T10:10:35+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-02-04 10:10:35","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5945464","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5945464","identity":"rs-5945464","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}