Research on autistic features and identity development has indicated that autistic traits are positively associated with disturbances in identity development. Characteristic attributes of autism, such as circumscribed interests and differences in social relatedness, align with self-rumination and challenges in navigating the components of identity formation. Nonetheless, research on this topic remains scarce. The present study examined the association between autistic features and identity formation processes in a non-clinical population while accounting for sociocultural factors, specifically social camouflaging and gender conformity. The sample consisted of college students enrolled in a large metropolitan city (N = 427) who completed an anonymous online survey battery. Autistic features were positively associated with both ruminative identity exploration and identity distress. Social camouflaging mediated these relationships, suggesting that the concealment of autistic traits may contribute to maladaptive identity formation rather than autistic traits themselves. Gender conformity further moderated the effect, with higher levels of conformity to traditional gender roles weakening the relationship between autistic features and social camouflaging. These findings signify the relevant role of social camouflaging in the relationship between autistic features and identity disturbances, highlighting the need for interventions and assessments that consider its prevalence and manifestation.

Stigma toward individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) can have significant social and psychological consequences, yet research on its contributing factors to stigmatizing attitudes remain limited. The current study represents a novel investigation into stigma toward individuals with AD, a population that has been largely overlooked in studies of stigmatization. The present study aimed to examine psychosocial predictors of AD stigma, focusing on empathy, moral identity, identity distress, and proximity, with individuals with AD as a potential protective factor. A sample of undergraduate students (N = 419) completed self-report measures assessing these constructs. Empathy was the strongest predictor of AD stigma, negatively related to stigmatizing attitudes and fully mediating the relationship between moral identity internalization and stigma. In contrast, identity distress was linked to higher stigma, both directly and indirectly through its negative association with empathy. Proximity to someone with AD was also associated with lower stigma, suggesting that proximity may promote more positive attitudes. These findings highlight the possible central role of empathy in mitigating stigma and suggest that interventions fostering empathic concern, alongside addressing identity-related distress, may help mitigate negative perceptions of individuals with AD.

The COVID-19 pandemic had widespread psychological effects, prompting research into long-term impacts on mental health and identity development. This retrospective study examined how pandemic-related stress affected obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) and generalized anxiety symptoms across three timepoints, prior to the pandemic (2019–February 2020), during the height of the pandemic (March 2020–2022), and the present (within the past month), and how changes in these symptoms relates to identity. The sample consisted of undergraduate students (N = 476) who completed an anonymous online survey battery. Indices of psychological “damage” and “recovery” showed although OCS levels returned to baseline in the current period, anxiety levels remained elevated. COVID-related stress predicted higher OCS and anxiety symptoms across timepoints. Greater symptom damage was associated with more identity disturbance, while recovery from anxiety was related to reduced identity disturbance. Recovery from OCS was uniquely related to higher identity consolidation. These findings suggest the psychological toll of the pandemic extends beyond clinical symptoms, impacting foundations of identity. Although some psychological recovery has occurred, lingering anxiety symptoms may continue to affect developmental outcomes. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms that support long-term recovery and identity formation in the wake of large-scale stressors like the COVID-19 pandemic.