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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

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


Authors

Grace Trundle

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KATY JONES Katy.Jones@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor in Applied Psychology

Vincent Egan



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 Mar 29, 2024
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

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