While scholars have investigated positive body image across diverse populations, extant theory largely excludes those with differing socio-cognitive experiences, such as autistic individuals. Using constructivist grounded theory, this study sought to develop a grounded theory of positive body image in autistic individuals. One-to-one interviews with photo-elicitation were conducted with 20 autistic adults (7 women, 8 men, 5 non-binary/agender; aged 18–53 years) from the United Kingdom. Through a process of open, axial, and focused coding, a grounded theory was developed around a core category of positive body image in autistic adults and was found to comprise six themes: body connection, body acceptance, appreciating body functionality and neurodivergent strengths, having a body-positive protective filter, taking care of the body, and body and appearance neutrality. Our findings suggest that some aspects of positive body image in autistic individuals are consistent with those found in neurotypical adults. However, positive body image in autistic individuals further encompasses both the (i.e., how the body is felt) and (i.e., how the body is seen) body. These findings may stimulate research aimed at improving positive body image in autistic populations.

中文翻译：

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“我对自己身体的看法与自闭症密不可分”：对自闭症患者积极身体形象的定性研究

虽然学者们研究了不同人群的积极身体意象，但现有理论在很大程度上排除了那些具有不同社会认知经历的人，例如自闭症患者。本研究利用建构主义扎根理论，试图发展自闭症个体积极身体意象的扎根理论。对来自英国的 20 名自闭症成年人（7 名女性、8 名男性、5 名非二元/性别；年龄 18-53 岁）进行了一对一的照片诱导访谈。通过开放、轴向和集中编码的过程，围绕自闭症成人积极身体形象的核心类别开发了一种扎根理论，该理论被发现包括六个主题：身体联系、身体接受、欣赏身体功能和神经发散优势，身体积极的保护过滤器，照顾身体，以及身体和外表的中性。我们的研究结果表明，自闭症患者积极身体意象的某些方面与神经正常成年人的积极身体意象是一致的。然而，自闭症患者的积极身体意象还包括身体（即如何感觉身体）和（即如何看待身体）。这些发现可能会刺激旨在改善自闭症人群积极身体形象的研究。