Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

24-11-2024 | Original Article

“I Know it’s Good to Do it”: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspective of Autistic Men on Social Motivation

Auteurs: Silke van Dijk, Nienke Peters-Scheffer, Robert Didden

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Abstract

The social motivation hypothesis states that people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) have a diminished social motivation, that is (1) less priority in attention for objects of social importance, (2) diminished social reward, and (3) less desire to maintain and strengthen relationships. Little is known about the perception of autistic people on their social motivation. This study used semi-structured interviews to explore how eleven autistic men perceived their social motivation, behaviour, and interactions. In the interpretative phenomenological analysis, five themes were identified: (1) social network, (2) importance of social contact, (3) challenges regarding social contact, (4) conditionality of social contact, and (5) the struggle between importance, challenges and conditionality of social contact. Social motivation appeared to be a dynamic concept that varied between individuals and contexts. Most participants struggled between valuing social contact as important and the challenges they faced on a social level over the different contexts in which they participated. Even though elements of the social motivation hypothesis were recognized, the main finding was that this struggle seemed to be the source of the diminished social motivation that was observed in some of these men. Although more research is needed, the findings of this study could imply that social motivation might not be as straightforward for autistic men as described in the social motivation hypothesis.

Throughout this paper, we use the term Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) when referring to the DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, to be respectful to individuals who feel that the term ‘disorder’ might be stigmatizing. Other scholars have been previously using this terminology (e.g., Bargiela et al., 2016; Hull et al., 2017). Additionally, we address people with an ASC diagnosis with identity-first language (i.e. autistic person), instead of using person-first language (i.e. person with autism). Whilst person-first language is often used in this field (to promote equality and avoid stigmatization), identity-first language is increasing in popularity, since it appears to encourage a positive self-image and acceptance of the disability (Anderson-Chavarria, 2022; Gernsbacher, 2017; Sinclair, 2013). Besides, less stigmatized disabilities (such as blind people) are also more likely to be addressed with identity-first language (Anderson-Chavarria, 2022; Gernsbacher, 2017). Lastly, the majority of people with an ASC diagnosis prefer to use identity-first language (Kenny et al., 2016), and the majority of participants in this study also called themselves ‘autistic’ and talked about ‘autistic people’ in general.

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Titel: “I Know it’s Good to Do it”: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspective of Autistic Men on Social Motivation
Auteurs: Silke van Dijk
Nienke Peters-Scheffer
Robert Didden
Publicatiedatum: 24-11-2024
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-06651-5

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“I Know it’s Good to Do it”: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspective of Autistic Men on Social Motivation

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