To What Extent Do Camouflaging, Self-Compassion and Self-Concept Clarity Predict Psychological Well-Being in Late-Recognised Neurodivergent Adults?

Late recognition of autism and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can prompt substantial shifts in well-being, self-understanding and identity. This study examined whether camouflaging, self-compassion and self-concept clarity predicted psychological well-being in late-recognised neurodivergent adults. Australian adults who first recognised themselves after age 18 as autistic only, ADHD only or both autistic and ADHD, through either formal diagnosis or self-identification, completed an online survey assessing camouflaging, self-compassion, self-concept clarity and psychological well-being. The final sample comprised 680 adults, with regression analyses conducted using complete cases ( n = 557). Bivariate correlations showed that higher camouflaging was associated with lower well-being, whereas higher self-compassion and self-concept clarity were associated with higher well-being. In hierarchical regression models, self-compassion was the strongest unique predictor of well-being. Self-concept clarity explained a small but significant additional proportion of variance beyond camouflaging and self-compassion. Camouflaging was associated with well-being, but its unique contribution was less robust after accounting for diagnostic group, gender and identification pathway. Findings suggest that well-being following late recognition may be shaped not only by camouflaging but also by self-compassion and the development of a coherent sense of self. Clinical and systemic responses should support identity integration, compassionate self-understanding and environments that reduce unnecessary pressure to camouflage.