Exploration des expériences sociales et des préférences des adultes autistes d'âge mûr et âgés : une étude qualitative coproduite

Titre original en anglais : Exploring the Social Experiences and Preferences of Autistic Adults in Midlife and Older Age: A Co-Produced Qualitative Study

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Fahey, N., Jenkins, C. A., Chan, W. L., Najda, K., Eshetu, A., Happé, F., & Stewart, G. R. (2026). Exploring the Social Experiences and Preferences of Autistic Adults in Midlife and Older Age: A Co-Produced Qualitative Study [Preprint]. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9940175/v1

Date de publication: 08/06/2026 Ajout dans AutiHub: 06/07/2026 Type: Prépublication Langue de l’article: Anglais
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Auteurs

Auteur·ices des publications
7
Auteur·ices de la publication identifié·es comme autistes
1 / 7 (14,3 %)
  1. Nell Fahey
  2. Christine A. Jenkins *
  3. Wing Lam Chan
  4. Karolina Najda
  1. Aphrodite Eshetu
  2. Francesca Happé
  3. Gavin R. Stewart

Résumé

Résumé Les adultes connaissent souvent une diminution de la connexion sociale avec l'avancée en âge, et le manque de soutien social peut être associé à une moins bonne qualité de vie. Cependant, les expériences sociales et les préférences des adultes autistes d'âge mûr et âgés n'ont pas encore fait l'objet d'une étude qualitative. Au total, 33 participants autistes âgés de 40 à 78 ans ont pris part à notre étude d'entretiens semi-structurés coproduite portant sur leurs préférences et expériences sociales. À l'aide d'une analyse thématique, nous avons créé trois thèmes. Les thèmes 1 et 2, « L'impact du vieillissement et des changements de circonstances de vie sur les expériences sociales » et « La constance des expériences sociales tout au long de la vie », étaient directement opposés. Le thème 3 explorait « Les espoirs et les préoccupations concernant le présent et l'avenir ». Ces thèmes mettent en évidence l'impact varié du vieillissement, aboutissant au sentiment général selon lequel « une solution unique ne convient pas à tous » lorsqu'il s'agit de considérer les besoins sociaux des adultes autistes d'âge mûr et âgés. Bien que certains aspects soient restés constants, nombre d'entre eux ont rapporté des expériences sociales réduites ou plus difficiles avec l'âge, beaucoup exprimant des préoccupations concernant l'avenir. Les motivations et les obstacles se sont également révélés différer avec l'âge. Ces résultats mettent en évidence des cibles pour le soutien social des adultes autistes plus âgés, ainsi que la nécessité de recherches supplémentaires sur les facteurs spécifiques liés à l'âge ayant une incidence sur leurs expériences sociales.

Abstract Adults often experience reduced social connectedness with increased age, and lack of social support can be associated with poorer quality of life. However, the social experiences and preferences of autistic adults in midlife and older age have not yet been qualitatively studied. A total of 33 autistic participants aged 40-78 years took part in our co-produced semi-structured interview study about their social preferences and experiences. Using thematic analysis, we created three themes. Themes 1 and 2, “The Impact of Ageing and Changes to Life Circumstances on Social Experiences” and "Consistency of Social Experiences Throughout Life”, directly contrasted. Theme 3 explored "Hopes and Concerns about the Present and Future”. These themes highlight the varied impact of ageing, resulting in the overarching sentiment that “one size does not fit all” when considering the social needs of autistic adults in midlife and older age. Although some aspects remained consistent, many reported reduced or more challenging social experiences with age, with many expressing concerns about the future. Motivations and barriers were also found to differ with age. These findings highlight targets for social support for older autistic adults, and the need for further research into specific age-related factors impacting their social experiences.

Bibliographie citée par cette référence

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Vue d’ensemble de l’inclusion dans la bibliographie

Ces indicateurs décrivent la bibliographie citée importée pour cette publication. Les métriques de références citées utilisent le total des références citées comme dénominateur. Les métriques d’auteurices cité·es indiquent si elles utilisent toutes les occurrences d’auteurices cité·es ou seulement les occurrences rattachées à des auteurices déjà intégré·es à la base de données AutiHub. Ils utilisent les rattachements mis en cache entre les auteurices cité·es et les auteurices intégré·es à la base de données AutiHub. Dernier calcul : 16/08/2026 11:30.

Références citées
45
Nombre total de références citées intégrées pour cette publication.
Références citées avec un·e auteur·ice identifié·e comme autiste
4 / 45 (8,9 %)
Occurrences d’auteur·ices cité·es identifié·es comme autistes
4 / 189 (2,1 %)
Parmi les occurrences rattachées à des auteurices intégré·es à la base de données AutiHub : 4 / 82 (4,9 %). Auteurices cité·es distinct·es identifié·es comme autistes : 4 / 151 (2,6 %).
Occurrences citées rattachées à la base AutiHub
82 / 189 (43,4 %)
Auteurices cité·es distinct·es rattaché·es : 47 / 151 (31,1 %)
Occurrences rattachées, non identifiées comme autistes
78 / 82 (95,1 %)
Parmi les seules occurrences rattachées. Sur l’ensemble des occurrences d’auteurices cité·es : 78 / 189 (41,3 %). Auteurices cité·es distinct·es rattaché·es, non identifié·es comme autistes : 43 / 47 (91,5 %).
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