Stigma towards individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: a comparison of UK-based Nigerians and English attitudes

Introduction: The stigma associated with autism is associated with a wide range of damaging consequences including discrimination, loneliness and exclusion, and reduced service uptake all of which impacts upon the health and... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: The stigma associated with autism is associated with a wide range of damaging consequences including discrimination, loneliness and exclusion, and reduced service uptake all of which impacts upon the health and well-being of those affected by autism. In the current study, we aimed to examine and compare the prevalence of stigmatising attitudes among individuals who identified themselves as belonging either to the dominant or to another, ethnically minority, cultural group.
Methodology: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed with participants recruited through snowball sampling. A modified version of the 'Community Attitudes to Mental Illness' scale was used. Socio-demographic background questions and items that assessed participants' knowledge and experience of autism were also added.
Results: The findings revealed the presence of stigma in both groups although a significantly stronger presence was detected within the minority group. Stepwise binary logistic regressions identified cultural difference and, to a slightly lesser extent, autism knowledge as significant, independent predictors of stigma constructs.
Conclusions: Anti-stigma campaigns that target improvements in knowledge and understanding continue to be required, particularly among particular types of cultural groups where understanding and attitudes remain particularly problematic. Interventions may also be more likely to be successful if they are culturally tailored.

Ethical approval was granted from the University of Bedfordshire’s Institute for Health Research Ethics Committee in February 2015. There were no conflicts of interest. [ view full abstract ]

Ethical approval was granted from the University of Bedfordshire’s Institute for Health Research Ethics Committee in February 2015. There were no conflicts of interest.