R. Cai, Emma Gallagher, Kaaren Haas, Abigail M. A. Love, Vicki Gibbs
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
Purpose
Many autistic adults experience unemployment, which may impact their financial circumstances. However, no research has examined their personal financial circumstances. Therefore, this study aims to examine the self-reported income, savings and debt of autistic adults living in Australia, as well as the demographic associates and predictors of income and savings.
Design/methodology/approach
Sixty-four autistic adults aged 18–67 years (Mage = 32.78, SDage = 11.36) completed an online survey containing questions relating to their financial circumstances and the autism spectrum quotient-short.
Findings
Overall, the authors found that many autistic adults are financially disadvantaged. The mode of income levels was below AU$25,000, which is substantially lower than the mean annual Australian full-time income of AU$89,123. Higher savings was associated with not having any debt or having a greater ability to repay debt. Autism traits were positively associated with income levels. As predicted, being employed was associated with and predicted higher income. People who were employed were four times more likely to have a higher income than unemployed individuals. The authors did not find a relationship between having a co-occurring mental condition with income or savings. The authors also did not find a significant association between employment status and savings.
Practical implications
These research findings have implications on how we can improve the financial circumstances of autistic adults and provide additional evidence for the importance of increasing employment opportunities for autistic individuals.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the personal financial circumstances of autistic adults.
期刊介绍:
Advances in Autism is unique in its focus on the health and care aspects and outcomes for people with autism. The journal''s content is international in focus and peer-reviewed. It includes the following: research-based articles evidence-based clinical and support articles articles on policy and advances in services where these can be internationally applied. Key areas of research covered include: clinical developments people''s experience through qualitative research policy debates and outcomes inclusion and quality of life developmental issues population and epidemiological studies services developments evidence-based reviews of key practice issues.