An Interpretative Phenomenological Study on Camouflaging Strategies and Cultural Moderators in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study explored camouflaging behaviors in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and classified them as compensation, masking, and assimilation strategies. In-depth interviews with ten adults with ASD, conducted using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) and constant comparative methods, revealed that these strategies changed over time and context. Although initially beneficial to social adaptation, they frequently result in identity confusion and emotional exhaustion. Cultural norms, such as face-saving and conflict avoidance, particularly in collectivist settings, intensify the psychological burden. These findings indicate the importance of diagnostic, clinical, and policy approaches that consider camouflage as a dynamic and culturally mediated phenomenon.