Revealing the Most Vulnerable Groups: Courtesy Stigma in Care-givers of Quebecers Autistic persons

Caregivers of individuals often face with "courtesy stigma," a phenomenon that adversely affects their well-being. Understanding the repercussions of this stigma is crucial not only for caregivers' mental health, but also for the quality of care provided to autistic individuals. This study aimed to explore the experience of cour-tesy stigma among caregivers of autistic individuals in Quebec, examining its prevalence and impact to identify groups that are particularly susceptible to nega-tive outcomes.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional online survey employing quota sampling and garnered responses from 194 participants. Data were collected using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) platform. The impact of courtesy stigma was specifically measured in terms of care burden, mental health, and overall well-being of care-givers.
Results
The findings revealed that caregivers frequently experience social exclusion, isola-tion, and work-related challenges. Notably, caregivers' health was below average compared to Quebec's general population. The vulnerable groups included female caregivers, those aged 45 or older, financially strained households, caregivers of children requiring elevated levels of support, those who self-isolated due to their autistic dependents, and those who experienced stigmatization directed at them-selves or their children in the form of rejection.
Interestingly, 60% of respondents reported that the caregiving burden was "not at all" to "somewhat" difficult, raising questions about factors that may mitigate caregiving challenges.
Conclusion
This study underscores the need for targeted public policies and interventions, par-ticularly for those at higher risk of experiencing the negative effects of courtesy stigma. By focusing on resources and support for these priority groups, we can better address the challenges faced by the families of autistic persons.