(PS4-45) Exploring the Relationship Between Autism Knowledge and Stigma Domains in Underrepresented Ethno Racial Minority Groups: Implications for Culturally Sensitive Support and Services

Previous literature has shown that individuals from underrepresented ethnoracial groups face difficulties in accessing and utilizing services (Magana, 2012). These difficulties may be a result of cultural and familial barriers, such as the stigma and lack of knowledge surrounding mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders (Adere et al., 2023). While previous literature has examined the association of autism stigma and knowledge in the general population (Golson et al., 2022), the role of these factors in underrepresented ethnoracial minority groups with autism is understudied.  This study aims to address this significant gap in literature by examining the relationship between autism knowledge (AK; knowledge around diagnosis/traits, etiology, treatment) and stigma in ethnoracial minority groups. This research can contribute to the development of targeted informational workshops that will help families engage more in support services that are more inclusive and effective in these communities. 

52 Parents of autistic individuals (Mage = 11, SD = 8.9, male = 79 %), residing in the United States (Mage = 41.3, SD =5.9; South Asian: n = 40, Middle Eastern/North African [MENA]: n = 8, East African: n = 4) completed a questionnaire to assess autism stigma and AK  (ASK-Q; Harrison et al., 2017). Notably, the ASK-Q is scored such that higher scores indicate more knowledge and less stigma, respectively. Pearson correlations were utilized to examine the relationship between stigma and AK. 

The results represented a significant strong, positive correlation between overall AK  and absence of stigma (r=0.614, p < 0.001). When examining specific aspects of AK, lower stigma was associated with greater knowledge around autism (a) diagnosis (r=0.301), (b) etiology (r=0.546), and (c) treatment (r=0.603; all ps < 0.05).
The results represent compelling findings regarding the relationship between AK and stigma within the context of underrepresented groups. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive support, interventions, and resources to increase AK to reduce stigma around autism, which will ultimately increase the quality of life of individuals within these communities. Enhancing knowledge of treatment approaches, causal factors, and clinical presentation within underrepresented communities can alleviate familial and parental stress by providing better understanding of the experiences and service accessibility to parents.