Promoting Self-Determination in Young Adults with Autism: A Multicenter, Mixed Methods Study.

Young people with autism have support needs related to self-determination that are currently not adequately addressed in Spain. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, implementation, and acceptability of a program to support self-determination for young adults with autism in Spain. A multicen...

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Published in:Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders Vol. 56; no. 7; pp. 2651 - 2671
Main Authors: Andrés-Gárriz, Clara, Farriols Hernando, Núria, Gómez Hinojosa, Antonia Maria, Pretel-Luque, Teresa, Fàbregues, Sergi, Mumbardó-Adam, Cristina
Format: research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Jul2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2026
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        10.1007/s10803-025-06739-6
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        atl: Promoting Self-Determination in Young Adults with Autism: A Multicenter, Mixed Methods Study.
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          Andrés-Gárriz, Clara
          Farriols Hernando, Núria
          Gómez Hinojosa, Antonia Maria
          Pretel-Luque, Teresa
          Fàbregues, Sergi
          Mumbardó-Adam, Cristina
        affil: https://ror.org/04p9k2z50 Faculty of Psychology, Sciences of Education and Sports, Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, 34 Císter Street, 08022, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
      sug:
        subj:
          Autism Spectrum Disorder In Adulthood
          Psychosocial Intervention
          Support, Psychosocial
          Program Evaluation
          Funding Source
          Spain
          Human
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Multicenter Studies
          Multimethod Studies
          Focus Groups
          Randomized Controlled Trials
          Random Assignment
          Conceptual Framework
          Comparative Studies
          DSM
          Scales
          Questionnaires
          Intelligence Tests
          Coefficient alpha
          Family Attitudes
          Summated Rating Scaling
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          Mann-Whitney U Test
          Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test
          Chi Square Test
          Effect Size
          Thematic Analysis
          Male
          Female
          Volition
          Goal-Setting
          Autonomy
          Emotional Regulation
          Quality of Life
          Skill Acquisition
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Young people with autism have support needs related to self-determination that are currently not adequately addressed in Spain. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, implementation, and acceptability of a program to support self-determination for young adults with autism in Spain. A multicenter, mixed methods randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was conducted (2020–2022). Young adults with autism between 17 and 30 years of age were recruited, and 40 were randomly assigned to the intervention or waiting-list group. Quantitative and qualitative data on outcomes relating to self-determination, program implementation and acceptability were collected at baseline, during, and after the intervention using several tools, including the SDI: SR and focus groups. Joint displays were used to integrate the quantitative and qualitative results for a comprehensive evaluation of the program. The quantitative results revealed no significant differences between the intervention and waiting list groups but indicated positive impacts on agentic actions and overall self-determination as reported by participants and caregivers. The qualitative results expanded the quantitative results by identifying personal and contextual barriers and facilitators of self-determination while offering deeper insights into the quantitative outcomes. Implementation fidelity was high, and the qualitative data provided areas for improvement and identified challenges and best practices. Program acceptability was high, and the group format proved useful. Our study provides the first empirical evidence of an intervention designed to promote self-determination in individuals with autism in Spain, but further research is needed. This trial was retrospectively registered at www.clinicaltrial.org (NCT05938751) on January 1st, 2023.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        randomized controlled trial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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