PERCEIVED STIGMA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between perceived stigma and psychological well-being among adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with particular emphasis on the mediating role of social support. A quantitative, correlational research design was employed. Data were collected from 79 adults with a documented diagnosis of ASD receiving services from selected institutions in Multan, Pakistan, using purposive sampling. Participants completed the Perceived Stigma Measure (PSM), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Pearson product-moment correlations, regression analysis, and bootstrapped mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS. Perceived stigma was significantly and negatively associated with psychological well-being (r = −.46, p < .01) and social support (r = −.38, p < .01), whereas social support was positively associated with psychological well-being (r = .52, p < .01). Mediation analysis demonstrated a significant negative indirect effect of perceived stigma on psychological well-being through social support (B = −0.15, 95% CI [−0.28, −0.04]). The direct effect remained significant (B = −0.36, p = .004), indicating partial mediation. These findings highlight social support as a potentially important protective factor in mitigating the adverse psychological consequences associated with perceived stigma among adults with ASD. The study underscores the need for socially supportive and stigma-reducing interventions to promote psychological well-being in this population.