The lens of autism and love: a photovoice study
Disability and Society, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09687599.2026.2753112
- Dergi Adı: Disability and Society
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, ATLA Religion Database, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, EBSCO Legal Collection, EBSCO Legal Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Political Science Complete, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, MLA International Bibliography, Political Science Abstract (IPSA), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Legal Collection (EBSCO), Legal Source (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Autism, love, photovoice, romantic relationships, thematic analysis
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Using a participatory photovoice approach, we examined how autistic young adults with no prior romantic relationship experience conceptualized romance. Six autistic young adults (20–30 years old) took photographs that depicted romanticism and participated in individual photovoice interviews. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by a critical realist perspective and attentive to the cultural context shaping participants’ accounts. We identified three interconnected themes: The Meaning Map of the Heart, reflecting emotional commitment, mutual completion, unexpectedness, and emotional intensity; Emotional Shelters, framing relationships as a space of safety, growth, and peace; and The Burden of Love, capturing concerns about jealousy, heartbreak, and loss of autonomy. Our findings highlight that autistic young adults imagine romantic relationships as closeness, trust, and sharing, while also recognizing potential emotional risks within them. By foregrounding these voices, the study demonstrates the value of photovoice for participatory and culturally situated autism research.