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Community participation patterns among autistic adults and associated characteristics: A latent class analysis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Community participation patterns among autistic adults and associated characteristics: A latent class analysis

Wei Song, Mark S. Salzer, Stacy L. Nonnemacher and Lindsay L. Shea
Research in autism spectrum disorders, v 89, 101884
Nov 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2021.101884
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Adults Autism spectrum disorder Community participation Latent class analysis
•We identified four groups of autistic adults with similar community participation patterns.•Groups were based on their perceived importance of and participation in a wide range of community activities.•The groups differed in a number of personal and environmental factors.•The findings could be used to understand the degree to which participation is important and promotes participation. Community participation can buffer stress and anxiety and improve quality of life for autistic adults. While the participation of autistic adults is known to be lower than the general population, it is not known if subgroups exist based on the degree of interest in participation or amounts of participation among those who are interested. This study uses Latent Class Analysis to identify subgroups based on the number of important areas and engagement in important activities, and the demographic, clinical, social, and environmental features of these subgroups. Cross-sectional data from 816 autistic adults aged 18–72 from a large, statewide survey were used. Latent Class Analysis resulted in a good-fitting four class solution: Low Importance of Participation (33%); High Importance-Low Participation (16%); High Importance-Moderate Participation (22%); High Importance-High Participation (29%). Autistic adults in the Low Importance group were more likely to have fewer years of education, live with family members, and less likely to have an intellectual disability. Among the classes where participation was important, compared to adults in the Moderate Participation class, those in the Low Participation class were more likely to live in an isolated environment, such as rural areas or supported living facilities, and those in the High Participation class had more satisfying relationships and fewer unmet service needs. Study findings have implications for more efficient and effective service planning and delivery that enhances participation interests and amount of community participation to align with interests.

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9 citations in Web of Science
8 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Education, Special
Psychiatry
Psychology, Developmental
Rehabilitation
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