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The Impact of Labels and Behaviors on the Stigmatization of Adults with Asperger’s Disorder

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Abstract

Currently, there is a paucity of literature on stigmatization of adults with Asperger’s Disorder (AD). Therefore, this study examined whether young adults hold stigmatizing views towards individuals with AD and if that stigmatization is elicited by behaviors or labels. College students (N = 195) read one of six vignettes. A modified Social Distance Scale (Link et al. 1987) was used to assess stigmatization. A 2 × 3 analysis of variance revealed that the social behaviors commonly observed in AD significantly impacted stigmatization scores, while the label, “Asperger’s Disorder,” did not. These findings have important implications for future research, educating the public, providing support services, and treatment recommendations for individuals with AD.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Steven K. Shapiro and Bryan D. Edwards for their helpful feedback. Thanks is expressed to James Butler for his design and maintenance of the computer program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Robert C. Butler & Jennifer M. Gillis

Authors
  1. Robert C. Butler
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  2. Jennifer M. Gillis
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Correspondence to Robert C. Butler.

Additional information

This study is based on a master’s thesis submitted by the first author, under the supervision of the second author.

Vignettes and the questions from the modified Social Distance Scale are available upon request.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 2.

Table 2 Behavioral descriptions for vignettes
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Butler, R.C., Gillis, J.M. The Impact of Labels and Behaviors on the Stigmatization of Adults with Asperger’s Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 41, 741–749 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1093-9

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