scholarly journals Greater autism knowledge and contact with autistic people are independently associated with favourable attitudes towards autistic people

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna J. Shand ◽  
Scarlett A. D. Close ◽  
Punit Shah
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autism Knowledge

AbstractUnderstanding individual differences in attitudes to autism is crucial for improving attitudes and reducing stigma towards autistic people, yet there is limited and inconsistent research on this topic. This is compounded by a lack of appropriate measures and multivariate analyses. Addressing these issues, using up-to-date measures and multiple linear regression, we examined the relative contributions of participant age, sex, autism knowledge, level of contact with autistic people, and autistic traits to attitudes towards autistic people. We found that greater autism knowledge and higher levels of contact, but no other variables, were uniquely predictive of attitudes towards autistic people. We conclude that, in addition to public awareness campaigns to raise knowledge of autism, it may be important to increase contact between autistic and non-autistic people to improve public attitudes towards autistic people.

scholarly journals Less Illusion of a Just World in People with Formally Diagnosed Autism and Higher Autistic Traits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Bertrams
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Diagnosis ◽  
Just World ◽  
External Locus ◽  
General Belief ◽  
Autistic People

AbstractPeople differ in how strongly they believe that, in general, one gets what (s)he deserves (i.e., individual differences in the general belief in a just world). In this study (N = 588; n = 60 with a formal autism diagnosis), whether or not autistic people and those with high autistic traits have a relatively low general belief in a just world is examined. The results revealed the expected relationship between autism/higher autistic traits and a lower general belief in a just world. In a subsample (n = 388), personal belief in a just world, external locus of control, and self-deception mediated this relationship. These findings are discussed in terms of autistic strengths (less biased information processing) and problems (lowered well-being).

scholarly journals Anthropomorphic tendencies in autism: A conceptual replication and extension of White and Remington (2019) and preliminary development of a novel anthropomorphism measure

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132110393
Author(s):  
Rachel A Clutterbuck ◽  
Punit Shah ◽  
Hok Sze Leung ◽  
Mitchell J Callan ◽  
Natalia Gjersoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Socially Relevant

White and Remington (2019) found that autistic people may have increased anthropomorphic tendencies to ascribe human-like attributes to non-human agents. However, it was unclear from their study whether this relationship holds after accounting for socio-demographic variables known to be associated with anthropomorphism. The psychometric properties of the anthropomorphism questionnaire they used has also not been investigated, raising concerns about whether it measures the same construct in people with differing levels of autistic traits. Addressing these issues, we re-examined the relationship between autism and anthropomorphism in a large sample of adults ( N = 492). Conceptually replicating White and Remington, we found that autistic traits were significantly associated with greater anthropomorphic tendencies, even after accounting for age and sex (Study 1). Equally, psychometric concerns with the anthropomorphism questionnaire were revealed, leading us to refine this measure and re-analyse the data. A less clear-cut but significant association between autistic traits and anthropomorphism was found (Study 2). Our refined anthropomorphism measure also had improved psychometric properties, particularly showing that it is suitable for future autism research. Our findings are discussed in relation to individual differences in social-cognitive processing and we outline future directions for investigating mechanisms linking anthropomorphism and social cognition in autism. Lay abstract Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human-like qualities (e.g. thoughts and feelings) to non-human entities (e.g. objects and weather systems). Research by White and Remington (2019) suggested that anthropomorphism is more common in autistic compared to neurotypical adults, which is interesting given that autistic individuals sometimes misunderstand the thoughts and feelings of other people. In this article, we re-examined the link between autism and anthropomorphism in a large sample of adults with varying degrees of autistic traits, with several important methodological advances on previous research. Across two studies, we found that individuals with more autistic traits reported greater anthropomorphic tendencies. As part of these analyses, we had to develop a new, refined measure of anthropomorphism, which showed better reliability and validity than the original measure. This measure will be useful in future autism-related research. Overall, advancing White and Remington’s study, these findings help us to better understand individual differences in socially relevant processes, including those that may be enhanced in autism (e.g. anthropomorphism).

Comparing and Predicting Public Attitudes Toward Stuttering, Obesity, and Mental Illness

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 2023-2038
Author(s):  
Kenneth O. St. Louis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Opinion Survey ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Left Handedness ◽  
Human Attributes

Purpose Extensive research on public attitudes has documented stigma toward stuttering, obesity, and mental illness; however, most studies have focused on only one of these conditions. This study sought to compare public attitudes toward stuttering, obesity, and mental illness as well as to identify the predictive potential of four ratings relating to these and other neutral or desirable conditions. Method Five hundred respondents who were selected from each of three international databases filled out the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes (POSHA) for stuttering, obesity, or mental illness. The POSHA surveys were as similar as possible, and all contained four general items asking respondents' “impression” of the attribute, extent to which he or she “wants to be/have” that attribute, “amount known” about the attribute, and “persons known” who manifest the attribute, for stuttering, obesity, and mental illness plus two others, namely, left-handedness and intelligence. The POSHA surveys also had the same summary scores, Beliefs, Self-Reactions, and an Overall Score. Results Summary scores for the three POSHA surveys in the 500-respondent samples revealed negative attitudes toward all three conditions, the most positive being toward obesity, followed by stuttering and then by mental illness. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that various general items had significant prediction potential not only of attitudes for the same condition but also of attitudes for other conditions. The greatest other condition predictions were between stuttering and mental illness. Conclusions Stuttering is regarded as less stigmatizing than mental illness but more stigmatizing than obesity. Additionally, positivity toward one condition results in limited positivity toward the others. Impressions and knowledge of—as well as experience with—stigmatized conditions can inform public awareness campaigns and individual clinical programs dealing with stigma. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12860939

scholarly journals Modelling of COVID-19 Transmission in Kenya Using Compound Poisson Regression Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 101-111
Author(s):  
Joab O. Odhiambo ◽  
Philip Ngare ◽  
Patrick Weke ◽  
Romanus Odhiambo Otieno
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Poisson Regression ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Capital City ◽  
World Health ◽  
Compound Poisson ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Generalized Linear Regression ◽  
The Government

Since the inception of the novel Corona Virus Disease-19 in December in China, the spread has been massive leading World Health Organization to declare it a world pandemic. While epicenter of COVID-19 was Wuhan city in China mainland, Italy has been affected most due to the high number of recorded deaths as at 21st April, 2020 at the same time USA recording the highest number of virus reported cases. In addition, the spread has been experienced in many developing African countries including Kenya. The Kenyan government need to make necessary plans for those who have tested positive through self-quarantine beds at Mbagathi Hospital as a way of containing the spread of the virus. In addition, lack of a proper mathematical model that can be used to model and predict the spread of COVID-19 for adequate response security has been one of the main concerns for the government. Many mathematical models have been proposed for proper modeling and forecasting, but this paper will focus on using a generalized linear regression that can detect linear relationship between the risk factors. The paper intents to model and forecast the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kenya as a Compound Poisson regression process where the parameter follows a generalized linear regression that is influenced by the number of daily contact persons and daily flights with the already confirmed cases of the virus. Ultimately, this paper would assist the government in proper resource allocation to deal with pandemic in terms of available of bed capacities, public awareness campaigns and virus testing kits not only in the virus hotbed within Nairobi capital city but also in the other 47 Kenyan counties.

scholarly journals Factually based autism awareness campaigns may not always be effective in changing attitudes towards autism: Evidence from British and South Korean nursing students

Autism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1177-1190
Author(s):  
Saoirse Mac Cárthaigh ◽  
Beatriz López
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Student Nurses ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Factual Knowledge ◽  
Korean Student ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autism Knowledge

This study explored the relationship between autism knowledge, autistic traits, frequency of contact with autistic people and attitudes towards these individuals in British and South Korean student nurses and whether these relationships were affected by the presence of autistic traits. In total, 331 participants (156 South Korean and 175 British) completed self-report measures of autism knowledge, attitudes towards autistic people, frequency of contact with these individuals and autistic traits. Although British participants demonstrated greater knowledge and more favourable attitudes, significant knowledge deficiencies were noted in both groups. Among British participants, knowledge was found to be a significant, but a very marginal, predictor of attitudes, whereas neither knowledge nor frequency of contact were predictive of attitudes among South Korean participants. Contrary to previous research findings, cultural differences in the presence of autistic traits were not noted, nor were these traits found to correlate with attitudes towards autistic people. The findings suggest that awareness initiatives which aim to address attitudes towards autism need more than simply increasing factual knowledge. More importantly, the results suggest that Western-developed autism awareness initiatives may be ineffectual if cultural idiosyncrasies are not considered. Lay abstract This study explored the relationship between autism knowledge, autistic traits, frequency of contact with autistic people and attitudes towards these individuals in British and South Korean student nurses and whether these relationships were affected by the presence of autistic traits. In total, 331 participants (156 South Korean and 175 British) completed self-report measures of autism knowledge, attitudes towards autistic people, frequency of contact with these individuals and autistic traits. Although British participants demonstrated greater knowledge and more favourable attitudes, significant knowledge gaps were noted in both groups. Among British participants, knowledge was found to be only a marginal predictor of attitudes, whereas neither knowledge nor frequency of contact were predictive of attitudes among South Korean participants. Contrary to previous research findings, cultural differences in the presence of autistic traits were not noted, nor were these traits found to be related to attitudes towards autistic people. The findings suggest that awareness initiatives which aim to address attitudes towards autism need more than simply increasing factual knowledge. More importantly, the results suggest that Western-developed autism awareness initiatives may be ineffectual if cultural differences are not considered.

Camouflaging in non-autistic adults is associated with poorer mental health

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Somerville ◽  
Sarah E. MacPherson ◽  
Sue Fletcher-Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Autistic Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Camouflaging is a frequently reported behaviour in autistic people, which entails the use of strategies to compensate for and mask autistic traits in social situations. Camouflaging is associated with poor mental health in autistic people. This study examined the manifestation of camouflaging in a non-autistic sample, examining the relationship between autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health. In addition, the role of executive functions as a mechanism underpinning camouflaging was explored. Sixty-three non-autistic adults completed standardised self-report questionnaires which measured: autistic traits, mental health symptoms, and camouflaging behaviours. In addition, a subset (n=51) completed three tests of executive function measuring inhibition, working memory, and set-shifting. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse data. Results indicated that autistic traits are not associated with mental health symptoms when controlling for camouflaging, and camouflaging predicted increased mental health symptoms. Camouflaging did not correlate with any measure of executive function. These findings have implications for understanding the relationship between autistic traits and mental health in non-autistic people and add to the growing development of theory and knowledge about the mechanism and effects of camouflaging.

Environmental Degradation in the Ikorodu Sub-Urban Lagos - Lagoon Coastal Environment, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakirudeen Odunuga ◽  
Samuel Udofia ◽  
Opeyemi Esther Osho ◽  
Olubunmi Adegun
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Coastal Environment ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government ◽  
State Of The Environment

Introduction:Human activities exert great pressures on the environment which in turn cause environmental stresses of various intensities depending on the factors involved and the sensitivity of the receiving environment.Objective:This study examines the effects of anthropogenic activities along the sub-urban lagoon fragile coastal ecosystem using DPSIR framework.Results:The results show that the study area has undergone a tremendous change between 1964 and 2015 with the built up area increasing to about 1,080 ha (17.87%) in 2015 from 224 ha (1.32%) in 1964 at an average growth rate of 16.78ha per annum. The nature of the degradation includes an increasing fragility of the ecosystem through the emergence and expansion of wetlands, flooding and erosion as well as a reduction in the benefits from the ecosystem services. Population growth, between 2006 and 2015 for Ikorodu LGA, estimated at 8.84% per annum serves as the most important driving force in reducing the quality of the environment. This is in addition to Pressures emanating from anthropogenic activities. The state of the environment shows continuous resource exploitation (fishing and sand mining) with the impacts of the pressures coming from water pollution, bank erosion, biodiversity loss and flooding. Although there has been a strong policy formulation response from the government, weak implementation is a major challenge.Recommendation:The study recommends public awareness campaigns and the implementation of existing policies to ensure a sustainable sub-urban lagoon coastal environment..

Advance care planning: the future

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002304
Author(s):  
Judith Rietjens ◽  
Ida Korfage ◽  
Mark Taubert
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Decisional Capacity ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Future Care ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
Improve Patient

ObjectivesThere is increased global focus on advance care planning (ACP) with attention from policymakers, more education programmes, laws and public awareness campaigns.MethodsWe provide a summary of the evidence about what ACP is, and how it should be conducted. We also address its barriers and facilitators and discuss current and future models of ACP, including a wider look at how to best integrate those who have diminished decisional capacity.ResultsDifferent models are analysed, including new work in Wales (future care planning which includes best interest decision-making for those without decisional capacity), Asia and in people with dementia.ConclusionsACP practices are evolving. While ACP is a joint responsibility of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals, more clarity on how to apply best ACP practices to include people with diminished capacity will further improve patient-centred care.

scholarly journals Developmental trajectories of autistic social traits in the general population

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Richard Pender ◽  
Pasco Fearon ◽  
Beate St Pourcain ◽  
Jon Heron ◽  
Will Mandy
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Growth Mixture Modelling ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
Autism Trait

Abstract Background Autistic people show diverse trajectories of autistic traits over time, a phenomenon labelled ‘chronogeneity’. For example, some show a decrease in symptoms, whilst others experience an intensification of difficulties. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a dimensional condition, representing one end of a trait continuum that extends throughout the population. To date, no studies have investigated chronogeneity across the full range of autistic traits. We investigated the nature and clinical significance of autism trait chronogeneity in a large, general population sample. Methods Autistic social/communication traits (ASTs) were measured in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children using the Social and Communication Disorders Checklist (SCDC) at ages 7, 10, 13 and 16 (N = 9744). We used Growth Mixture Modelling (GMM) to identify groups defined by their AST trajectories. Measures of ASD diagnosis, sex, IQ and mental health (internalising and externalising) were used to investigate external validity of the derived trajectory groups. Results The selected GMM model identified four AST trajectory groups: (i) Persistent High (2.3% of sample), (ii) Persistent Low (83.5%), (iii) Increasing (7.3%) and (iv) Decreasing (6.9%) trajectories. The Increasing group, in which females were a slight majority (53.2%), showed dramatic increases in SCDC scores during adolescence, accompanied by escalating internalising and externalising difficulties. Two-thirds (63.6%) of the Decreasing group were male. Conclusions Clinicians should note that for some young people autism-trait-like social difficulties first emerge during adolescence accompanied by problems with mood, anxiety, conduct and attention. A converse, majority-male group shows decreasing social difficulties during adolescence.

scholarly journals Medical dispatchers’ perception of the interaction with the caller during emergency calls - a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Palsgaard Møller ◽  
Hejdi Gamst Jensen ◽  
Søren Viereck ◽  
Freddy Lippert ◽  
Doris Østergaaard
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Emergency Call ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Emergency Calls ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Call Process ◽  
Complex Procedure ◽  
Call Handling ◽  
Emergency Medical Dispatchers

Abstract Background Medical dispatching is a highly complex procedure and has an impact upon patient outcome. It includes call-taking and triage, prioritization of resources and the provision of guidance and instructions to callers. Whilst emergency medical dispatchers play a key role in the process, their perception of the process is rarely reported. We explored medical dispatchers’ perception of the interaction with the caller during emergency calls. Secondly, we aimed to develop a model for emergency call handling based on these findings. Methods To provide an in-depth understanding of the dispatching process, an explorative qualitative interview study was designed. A grounded theory design and thematic analysis were applied. Results A total of 5 paramedics and 6 registered nurses were interviewed. The emerging themes derived from dispatchers’ perception of the emergency call process were related to both the callers and the medical dispatchers themselves, from which four and three themes were identified, respectively. Dispatchers reported that for callers, the motive for calling, the situation, the perception and presentation of the problem was influencing factors. For the dispatchers the expertise, teamwork and organization influenced the process. Based on the medical dispatchers´ perception, a model of the workflow and interaction between the caller and the dispatcher was developed based on themes related to the caller and the dispatcher. Conclusions According to medical dispatchers, the callers seem to lack knowledge about best utilization of the emergency number and the medical dispatching process, which can be improved by public awareness campaigns and incorporating information into first aid courses. For medical dispatchers the most potent modifiable factors were based upon the continuous professional development of the medical dispatchers and the system that supports them. The model of call handling underlines the complexity of medical dispatching that embraces the context of the call beyond clinical presentation of the problem.

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