Inter-relationship of autistic traits, emotion regulation, and gelotophobia in autistic and non-autistic adults in Japan

Objectives Gelotophobia, the fear of being laughed at, in autistic adults has recently gained attention. However, how autistic traits relate to gelotophobia and whether emotion regulation difficulties help explain this association remain unclear. This study examined the associations between autistic traits, emotion regulation difficulties, emotion regulation strategies, and gelotophobia, and explored potential mediating roles of emotion regulation variables. Methods This empirical cross-sectional study involved an online survey of 61 adults who self-reported an autism diagnosis and 61 adults who did not report a diagnosis. Participants completed questionnaires assessing autistic traits, emotion regulation difficulties, emotion regulation strategies, and gelotophobia. Results Both Social Communication and Interaction and Restricted Interest and Repetitive Behavior were significantly associated with gelotophobia. Mediation analyses showed patterns consistent with indirect associations through difficulties in emotional acceptance, strategy use, and control. Suppression was positively associated with gelotophobia; reappraisal was also positively associated in this Japanese sample, contrasting with Western findings. Conclusions Autistic traits were associated with gelotophobia both directly and through emotion regulation difficulties. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual emotion regulation profiles when supporting people with gelotophobia. Cultural factors may influence how strategies such as reappraisal relate to social fears.