Measuring the social support network in autistic clients: development and validation of the Network in Action-Interview

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1411908
• Publication Date: 2025-04-03T05:13:45Z
• Authors: Rinske M. van den...; Hilde M. Geurts; Michel Wensing; Jan-Pieter Teunisse
• Keywords: Social network (sociolinguistics)

Introduction As social relationships are intertwined with mental health recovery, it is important to address a client’s support network during interventions. This seems even more for autistic clients, because research suggests they have on average smaller networks and experience loneliness than non-autistic individuals. Therefore, an interview assessing the in relation intervention goals was co-created together stakeholders (autistic healthcare professionals mother of client). In addition, psychometric properties acceptability this Network-in-Action-Interview (NiA-I) were studied as pre-registered (AsPredicted #59767). Methods The Nominal Group Technique used co-create NiA-I administered clients ( n = 44) recruited highly specialized facility. Results scores significantly correlated Multidimensional Scale Perceived Social Support, indicating sufficient convergent validity. Clients reported that provided therapist greater insight into network. Professionals could be improved regarding administration duration. Discussion cross-sectional study shows solid helpful tool including clinical practice. Addressing recovery-focused treatment. can assist taking such actions.