Autistic traits and depressive symptoms in the general population: Mediating roles of social camouflaging, self-concept clarity, and self-disgust

Background: Autistic traits are frequently associated with depressive symptoms. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in this association still need further examination. The present study explored chain mediation pathways, examining the impact of camouflaging autistic traits on the self and its subsequent influence on depression. According to the diathesis-stress models, the dynamic interactionist model of vulnerability, the dual vulnerability model, the disconnect theory, and the unified model of depression, the present study examined two potential chain mediation pathways (i.e., social camouflaging - self-concept clarity and social camouflaging - self-disgust) of the association between autistic traits and depressive symptoms. Methods: Four hundred sixty-three undergraduate and graduate students completed an online survey measuring autistic traits, depressive symptoms, social camouflaging, self-concept clarity, and self-disgust. Results: Autistic traits were directly and indirectly associated with increased depressive symptoms in the general population. Specifically, autistic traits were related to depressive symptoms through the chain mediation pathways of social camouflaging to self-concept clarity and social camouflaging to self-disgust. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the relationship between autistic traits and depressive symptoms when individuals engage in social camouflaging, particularly focusing on self-aspects (i.e., self-concept clarity and self-disgust). These findings underscore the complexities of mental health consequences associated with camouflaging autistic traits and highlight the importance of considering self-factors as critical intervention points for depressive symptoms.