Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (autism) can have significant impacts on the lives of those who experience it. However, as autism can affect each person in unique ways, the exact impacts of the condition on a person's experiences are not well understood. This is especially the case for women and girls with autism, who are on diagnosed later in life and have historically been neglected in research studies when compared to autistic men and boys. Autistic people are underrepresented in university populations, and characteristics of a university education present new challenges for autistic students. Little research has been done to inform supports for autistic women at university. This study aims to highlight the experiences of seven autistic women who attend university and learn their experiences, especially experiences with depression. Researchers invited these women to participate in open-ended interviews about their experiences with depression and life experiences as university students. Researchers synthesized the women's experiences into three main themes or findings and two additional themes or findings, each with their own sub-themes. The main themes are: accessibility, accommodations, and supports; mental health; and discovering autism. These women highlighted the frustrating path to acquiring a diagnosis, the relief they felt when diagnosed, the self-defeating nature of university accommodations, the way that depression shaped their lives, and the continuing effects of depression on their lives. This study highlights their experiences and lays a foundation for future research into supports that will make university experience more positive and accessible.
Degree
MS
College and Department
David O. McKay School of Education; Counseling Psychology and Special Education
Rights
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Keenan, Rosemarie Joy Hopkins, "Autistic Female University Students and Their Experiences With Depression: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 10624.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/10624
Date Submitted
2025-01-07
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13461
Keywords
autism spectrum disorders, autistic women university students, academic accommodations (disabilities), qualitative research
Language
english