Is camouflaging autistic traits associated with defeat, entrapment, and lifetime suicidal thoughts? Expanding the Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicide.

This study looked at whether 'masking' or hiding autistic traits might increase suicide risk. Researchers surveyed 180 university students and found that people who mask their autistic traits more often experienced feelings of defeat and being trapped, which in turn were linked to having suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that constantly hiding who you are may contribute to mental health struggles and suicide risk in autistic people.

This cross-sectional study examined relationships between camouflaging autistic traits, defeat/entrapment feelings, and lifetime suicidal thoughts in 180 UK undergraduate students. Results showed that camouflaging autistic traits was significantly associated with increased defeat and entrapment feelings, accounting for 3.2% additional variance beyond autistic traits alone. The relationship between autistic traits and lifetime suicidality was mediated through camouflaging, defeat, and entrapment. After controlling for demographics and mental health symptoms, defeat and entrapment (but not camouflaging directly) predicted lifetime suicidal thoughts.

Findings suggest camouflaging may be a transdiagnostic risk factor for suicidality through its association with defeat and entrapment constructs.

Clinicians should assess for camouflaging behaviors and associated defeat/entrapment feelings in autistic clients. Interventions targeting authentic self-expression and reducing masking pressure may help prevent suicidal ideation. Mental health screening should include evaluation of masking-related psychological burden.

Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. University student sample may not generalize to broader autistic population. Self-report measures only. No formal autism diagnosis verification. Small effect sizes reported.

The current study explored whether camouflaging autistic traits is associated with defeat and entrapment and lifetime suicidal thoughts, as predicted by the Integrated Volitional Model of Suicide (IMV model). 180 UK undergraduate students (76.7% female 18-67 years) completed a cross-sectional online survey from February 5 to March 23, 2020, including self-report measures of defeat and entrapment (SDES), autistic traits (AQ-10), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), camouflaging autistic traits (CAT-Q), and lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors (SBQ-R item 1). After controlling for age, gender, current depression, and anxiety symptoms, autistic traits accounted for significantly more of the variance in defeat and entrapment (1.1%), and camouflaging accounted for a further 3.2% of the variance. The association between autistic traits and lifetime suicidality was significantly mediated by camouflaging, defeat, and entrapment. After controlling for age, gender, current depression, and anxiety symptoms, defeat and entrapment (but not camouflaging) accounted for significantly more variance in lifetime suicidal thoughts.

The interaction between camouflaging, defeat and entrapment predicted significantly less variance in lifetime suicidal thoughts than either variable alone. Results suggest that camouflaging autistic traits is a transdiagnostic risk factor for lifetime suicidality, relevant to the defeat and entrapment constructs of the IMV model.