Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Tilburg School for Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tranzo Scientific Center for Care and Wellbeing, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
J Occup Rehabil. 2024 Jun;34(2):415-424. doi: 10.1007/s10926-023-10136-0. Epub 2023 Sep 25.
The aim of the present study was to explore the meaning of work for the subjective well-being of autistic adults with and without paid (competitive) employment and to evaluate the differences and similarities between these groups.
Eight focus groups were conducted, including a total of 64 autistic adults. Four groups entailed participants with current paid employment (including part-time) and four groups entailed participants without paid employment. All discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim to enable inductive thematic content analysis. Data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti 9.
Generally, both groups viewed paid employment as very important for well-being, albeit for different reasons. Three themes were found: (1) Not having paid employment was associated with lacking societal recognition, and subsequent low self-esteem, which was a dominant theme in those without work; (2) Work can seriously damage (mental) health and well-being, found in both groups; and (3) Paid employment provides many benefits for well-being, with subthemes: 'purpose,' 'social contacts,' 'growth and use of talents,' 'structure and calmness,' and 'income and freedom', which was a dominant theme in those with paid employment.
Both groups found paid employment highly important for their well-being, albeit for different reasons. However, both also agreed that paid employment can be very harmful to (mental) health and well-being. Suitable, well-supported jobs are important for well-being, may help to buffer stress in other life areas, and may even prevent autistic burnout. More studies are needed on how healthy jobs can be created where autistic individuals get positive energy and experience high well-being. This will also help to reduce socio-economic inequality.
本研究旨在探讨有薪（竞争）就业和无薪就业的自闭症成年人工作对主观幸福感的意义，并评估这两组人群之间的差异和相似之处。
进行了 8 个焦点小组，共包括 64 名自闭症成年人。其中 4 个小组的参与者有当前的有薪（包括兼职）就业，4 个小组的参与者没有有薪就业。所有讨论均进行了录音，并逐字转录，以便进行归纳主题内容分析。使用 ATLAS.ti 9 进行数据分析。
总体而言，两组人都认为有薪就业对幸福感非常重要，尽管原因不同。发现了三个主题：（1）没有有薪就业与缺乏社会认可相关，继而导致自尊心低下，这是没有工作的人主要关注的问题；（2）工作可能严重损害（心理健康）和幸福感，这在两组人群中都有发现；（3）有薪就业为幸福感提供了许多好处，有子主题：“目的”、“社会联系”、“才能的成长和运用”、“结构和平静”以及“收入和自由”，这是有有薪就业的人主要关注的问题。
两组人都认为有薪就业对他们的幸福感非常重要，尽管原因不同。然而，他们也都认为有薪就业可能对（心理健康）和幸福感非常有害。适合且有充分支持的工作对幸福感很重要，可能有助于缓冲其他生活领域的压力，甚至可能预防自闭症人士的倦怠。需要更多研究如何创造健康的工作环境，使自闭症个体获得积极的能量并体验到高度的幸福感。这也将有助于减少社会经济不平等。
