B4339 - Camouflaging across neurodevelopmental conditions and the general population - 14/07/2023

B number: 
B4339
Principal applicant name: 
Laura Hull | Centre for Academic Mental Health, Bristol Medical School (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Dr Dheeraj Rai, Dr Felicity Sedgewick
Title of project: 
Camouflaging across neurodevelopmental conditions and the general population
Proposal summary: 

In recent years there has been increasing interest in the phenomenon of camouflaging (hiding or compensating for neurodivergent traits), particularly within autistic populations. Camouflaging is understood to be associated with poorer mental health in these populations. The most common method of measuring camouflaging is through a brief self-report measure. However, there have been no unselected population-based studies which measure camouflaging, and therefore we do not know whether, and to what degree, camouflaging is unique to neurodivergent populations and whether it is associated with poorer mental health outcomes across the general population. This project aims to assess the prevalence of camouflaging across the general population for the first time, and to compare between typically developing individuals and those with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

Impact of research: 
The research will help us to determine whether camouflaging is unique to neurodevelopmental conditions, and to establish prevalence of camouflaging across the population for the first time. This will be of immense interest to researchers, clinicians, and people with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Date proposal received: 
Monday, 22 May, 2023
Date proposal approved: 
Wednesday, 24 May, 2023
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Mental health, Neurodevelopmental conditions (autism, ADHD), Qualitative study, Statistical methods, Communication (including non-verbal), Development, Sex differences, Mental health