The Social Support Network of Adults with an Autism Spectrum Condition: An Exploration Using the Network in Action-Questionnaire.

Researchers studied a questionnaire tool that helps identify social support networks for autistic adults. They found it measures two main areas: positive support from others and relationship difficulties. Adults with autism and their support people generally agreed on most aspects of social networks, except for wishes about social connections. The tool could help healthcare providers better involve and strengthen support networks during treatment.

This study examined the Network in Action-Questionnaire (NiA-Q), a tool designed to assess social support networks for adults with autism spectrum conditions (ASC). The research involved 193 adults with ASC and 84 proxies from a mental health institution. Factor analysis revealed two key dimensions: positive social support and interpersonal distress. Self-reports and proxy reports showed general agreement, with the exception of social network wishes where perspectives differed.

The NiA-Q demonstrated utility as a clinical tool for identifying current and potential sources of social support, providing a structured approach for involving and strengthening social networks during treatment for adults with autism.

The NiA-Q offers clinicians a structured approach to assess and engage social support networks for autistic adults, aligning with clinical guidelines. The tool may help identify discrepancies between autistic individuals' and proxies' perspectives on social network needs, informing more personalized treatment planning.

The study was conducted in a single mental health institution which may limit generalizability. The abstract does not provide details about the validation process, psychometric properties, or comparison with other social support measures. Long-term outcomes or treatment effectiveness were not reported.

Actively involving the network during treatment, as recommended in Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) guidelines, can be facilitated with the Network in Action-Questionnaire (NiA-Q), which identifies the current and potential sources of social support. The aims of this study were to (1) examine the factor structure of the NiA-Q and (2) to explore the self- and proxy-report on the social network. Before the start of treatment in a mental health institution, 193 adults with an ASC diagnosis and 84 proxies completed the NiA-Q. Factor analysis showed two factors: positive social support and interpersonal distress.

Self- and proxy-report on the NiA-Q did not differ for most variables, except for social network wishes. The NiA-Q provides a basis for network involvement and strengthening.