Risk Factors for Autistic Burnout : A Literature Review of Over-adaptation and Other Related Psychological Constructs

autistic burnout

北海道大学大学院教育学研究院附属子ども発達臨床研究センター

子ども発達臨床研究

Over-adaptation, characterized by excessive conformity to environmental demands at the expense of internal needs, is associated with psychological stress and maladjustment. In Japan, it is identified as a risk factor for mental health issues in autistic workers, who often engage in significant effort to adapt despite challenges in interpersonal interactions and social communication. This tendency can lead to mental health problems and diminished quality of life. Recent studies focused on the similarity between the outcomes of over-adaptation and autistic burnout, which manifests as exhaustion, skill loss, and heightened sensory sensitivity. Japanese research literature posits that over-adaptation may contribute to autistic burnout in workplace. However, there is limited English-language research on this connection, possibly reflecting cultural and societal disparities in terminology used to express the conditions of overadaptation. This review examines Japanese research literature on over-adaptation among autistic workers, compares it to related constructs such as perfectionism, camouflaging, and adaptive morphing in Englishlanguage research, and investigates the underlying factors and mechanisms. By conducting this comparative analysis, this article seeks to enhance understanding and provide insights into mitigating the impact of over-adaptation and other related constructs contributing to autistic burnout, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for autistic workers.