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Purpose <p>Many autistic adults experience anxiety in ways that are qualitatively unique when compared to the experiences of non-autistic adults. In this systematic review we aimed to explore these experiences from a first-person perspective through a synthesis of qualitative evidence.</p> Methods <p>Our protocol development was guided by the PRISMA framework. A search strategy was implemented across three databases, and the evaluation of study quality was conducted using a standardized measure. A total of 11 studies exploring the experiences of anxiety in autistic adults from a first-person perspective were included in the review. Eligible research comprised qualitative and mixed methods studies where identifiable quotations from autistic adults were present. The study synthesized qualitative data from primary research published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The data extracted underwent analysis via thematic synthesis.</p> Results <p>Four descriptive themes were identified: “Describing Anxiety”, “Contributors to Anxiety”, “Impact of Anxiety” and “Managing Anxiety”. Three analytical themes were identified: “The Cyclical Nature of Anxiety”, “Feeling like the Other” and “Sensory Experiences as a Source and Expression of Anxiety”.</p> Conclusion <p>The current qualitative literature suggests that autistic experiences of anxiety are cyclical in nature, with factors that both converge and diverge with the non-autistic experience. Feelings of Othering can contribute to these issues, as well as being a barrier to support, while sensory experiences can play a role in the development, maintenance and soothing of anxious experiences.</p>

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A Systematic Review of Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Anxiety From a Qualitative Perspective

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月13日

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  • Andrea Bianca Da Silva,
  • Emma Berry,
  • Saskia Craig,
  • Michail Doumas

摘要

Purpose

Many autistic adults experience anxiety in ways that are qualitatively unique when compared to the experiences of non-autistic adults. In this systematic review we aimed to explore these experiences from a first-person perspective through a synthesis of qualitative evidence.

Methods

Our protocol development was guided by the PRISMA framework. A search strategy was implemented across three databases, and the evaluation of study quality was conducted using a standardized measure. A total of 11 studies exploring the experiences of anxiety in autistic adults from a first-person perspective were included in the review. Eligible research comprised qualitative and mixed methods studies where identifiable quotations from autistic adults were present. The study synthesized qualitative data from primary research published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The data extracted underwent analysis via thematic synthesis.

Results

Four descriptive themes were identified: “Describing Anxiety”, “Contributors to Anxiety”, “Impact of Anxiety” and “Managing Anxiety”. Three analytical themes were identified: “The Cyclical Nature of Anxiety”, “Feeling like the Other” and “Sensory Experiences as a Source and Expression of Anxiety”.

Conclusion

The current qualitative literature suggests that autistic experiences of anxiety are cyclical in nature, with factors that both converge and diverge with the non-autistic experience. Feelings of Othering can contribute to these issues, as well as being a barrier to support, while sensory experiences can play a role in the development, maintenance and soothing of anxious experiences.