COVID-19 pandemic and life satisfaction – experience of autistic adults?
Context. Autistic adults have been considered vulnerable to the effects of multiple changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has led in activity and lifestyle. The current study aimed to understand the experience of these changes as reported by Quebec autistic adults capable of looking introspectively at their lived experience of the sanitary crisis. Method. An online questionnaire (about 30 minutes) was completed by 105 Quebec autistic adults. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. Results. Once they overcame their initial shock, participants have coped relatively well with the pandemic context. Significant transformations were reported in their environmental context, as well as their activities, roles and routines. Despite these changes, participants’ life satisfaction was little affected, and their interpersonal relationships even improved. The sanitary measures aiming at limiting the COVID-19’s propagation have also led to changes in the importance and meaning given to activities. Discussion/Conclusion. Results suggest that participants were able to adapt and even benefit from the new context. The good/poor fit of the contexts in which autistic adults’ lifestyle habits and activities are embedded contribute to the challenges they face and ultimately to their life satisfaction.