Factors influencing the research participation of adults with autism spectrum disorders

Haas, Kaaren, Costley, Debra, Falkmer, Marita, Richdale, Amanda, Sofronoff, Kate and Falkmer, Torbjorn (2016) Factors influencing the research participation of adults with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46 (5). pp. 1793-1805. ISSN 1573-3432

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

The recruitment and retention of adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) into research poses particular difficulties; longitudinal studies face additional challenges. To date, factors influencing the participation of adults for ASD research have been unexamined. This article draws on a study conducted in 2014 to identify factors influencing the participation of adults in longitudinal autism research. Quantitative and qualitative data was obtained from 167 participants across Australia in four categories: adults with either high-functioning autism or Asperger syndrome; adults with ASD and an intellectual disability; carers of these adults; and neuro-typical adults. This article includes results for adults with ASD and their carers. Factors influencing participation were found to differ both between and within participant categories. These factors were classified as those arising from a participant’s values, which acted as either a motivator or a deterrent; and those based on convenience, which acted as either an enabler or inhibitor. While helping others was a key motivator for all, participants also sought personal benefits, which differed between categories. Belonging to a research community of like-minded people was also a motivator and enabler. The inconvenience of time and travel required was a key inhibitor; insensitivity to an individual’s needs and preferences for engaging with the world a key deterrent; maximising choice in all aspects of participant involvement a vital enabler; and the use of financial and other extrinsic rewards was found to be problematic.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/782203
Additional Information: The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2708-6.
Keywords: Autism; Asperger syndrome; Incentive; Longitudinal studies; Motivation; Research recruitment; Research participation
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2708-6
Depositing User: Costley, Dr Debra
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2017 12:48
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:43
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/39723

Actions (Archive Staff Only)

Edit View Edit View