{
  "abstract": "Introduction: Both camouflaging and closeting one self conceal identity traits that are deemed undesirable or reprehensible by society at large. They serve as a mean of survival in a world that discriminates against autistic and trans people, but frequently lead to exhaustion and disconnect. This study aims to better understand how autistic trans/gender-diverse individuals experience both camouflaging of their autistic traits and closeting of their trans identity, as well as the effects this has on their mental health and sense of self.\n\nMethods: We analyzed the lived experience of 20 autistic trans/gender-diverse (TGD) individuals aged 15 to 48. Two questionnaires were administered through an online form: (i) A Spanish adaptation of the Gender-Diversity and Autism Questionnaire (Strang et al., 2023) and (ii) a qualitative questionnaire about gender identity and life experiences. Data analysis was conducted using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006; 2023).\n\nResults: Following the qualitative analysis of the material, three major themes were constructed: Theme 1, “Trans autistic minds under pressure: ‘I was being denied my right to just be’ ”; Theme 2, “‘Acting like someone I don’t know how to be’: Camouflaging and closeting behaviors at the intersection”, and Theme 3, “Long-term effects: ‘Disconnected from myself and shunned from the world’”.\n\nDiscussion: Participants reported high levels of stress and trauma-related symptoms. They often felt like suppressing themselves was their only choice, even if it came at the expense of their own well-being. In order to alleviate their suffering, a more neuro- and trans-affirming society is needed.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Universitat Jaume I",
    "Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology",
    "University Institute of Educational Sciences (IUCE)",
    "Observatorio Nacional para las Neurodivergencias"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "María Clemente-Sánchez"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Irene Garcia-Molina"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ainhoa Rodríguez-Zafra"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Erik Aostri"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Amaia Nazabal"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0sc5tfk270zpw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1923413",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "0sc5tfk270zpw",
  "issns": [
    "1664-0640"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1923413/full",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-05",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0sc5tfk270zpw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:21:29Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1923413",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1923413/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "issn:1664-0640",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "“Like a never-ending performance of myself”: trans autistic experiences of identity, camouflaging and the complex closet",
  "title_text": "“Like a never-ending performance of myself”: trans autistic experiences of identity, camouflaging and the complex closet",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T00:21:25Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0sc5tfk270zpw",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Psychiatry",
  "versions": []
}