The forensic implications of camouflaging: a study into victimisation and offending associated with autism and pathological demand avoidance

Trundle, Grace; Jones, Katy A.; Ropar, Danielle; Egan, Vincent

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of social camouflaging on victimisation and offending in relation to autism and pathological demand avoidance (PDA) traits. Camouflaging aims to overcome or conceal difficulties in social and communication skills. Autistic individuals report camouflaging in response to threat and being verbally and physically assaulted when they have not camouflaged. Thus, camouflaging could be associated with victimisation. Camouflaging could also impact on specialist support available to an individual, potentially increasing the risk of victimisation or offending. Design/methodology/approach: Cross-sectional study was conducted using 220 participants from the general population who completed online questionnaires measuring victimisation and offending, autism and PDA traits, camouflaging and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Findings: Correlational analysis found positive associations between camouflaging and victimisation, and camouflaging and lifetime offending. Greater camouflaging and PDA traits predicted greater offending, whereas greater autism traits predicted fewer offending behaviours. While correlated, camouflaging was not significantly predictive of victimisation. Victimisation was predicted by symptoms of depression and PDA traits. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to consider camouflaging as an influencing factor on offending and victimisation in autistic and PDA individuals.

Citation

Trundle, G., Jones, K. A., Ropar, D., & Egan, V. (2023). The forensic implications of camouflaging: a study into victimisation and offending associated with autism and pathological demand avoidance. Advances in Autism, 9(2), 116-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-02-2022-0006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 25, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 16, 2022
• Publication Date: Mar 7, 2023
• Deposit Date: Aug 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 16, 2022
• Journal: Advances in Autism
• Print ISSN: 2056-3868
• Electronic ISSN: 2056-3876
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 116-131
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-02-2022-0006
• Keywords: Psychiatry and Mental health; Cognitive Neuroscience; Neurology (clinical); Neurology; Developmental and Educational Psychology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9905908
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AIA-02-2022-0006/full/html