An Experimental Investigation of Self-as-Context with Autistic Adults

The study consists of five phases undertaken online in one 50-minute sitting: • Phase One (Baseline Measures; Approx. 12 minutes) Participants will complete demographic questions and baseline psychological measures. • Phase Two (Unpleasant Experience Recall; Approx. 8 minutes) Participants will be asked to “Describe a time in your life where you felt out of place in the world due to being autistic” and write their response into a text box (4 minutes). Following the completion of their written experience, they will complete the momentary measures (14 items) (3 minutes). • Phase Three (Intervention; Approx. 12 minutes) Participants will be allocated into either the SAC or control condition. The SAC condition will watch an 8-minute skill development video targeting a psychological process to teach them the concept of Self-As-Context. Participants will only have access to watch the video once during the study. The intervention consists of an 8-minute guided video-based experiential exercise introducing self-as-context, a core process of psychological flexibility in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The video was designed and recorded specifically for this study and provides psychoeducation, a metaphor, and a guided mindfulness exercise to facilitate experiential learning and engagement with self-as-context. The aim of the video in this study is to educate viewers to recognise they are not defined by their thoughts and feelings but are instead the observer of these experiences. The video begins with a 1.5-minute introduction by a provisional psychologist, defining self-as-context as the part of oneself that notices inner experiences such as thoughts, feelings, memories, and sensations. It explains that self-as-context, akin to "awareness" or "consciousness," helps individuals see that they are not their thoughts or emotions but the space in which these experiences occur. Participants are encouraged to develop awareness of awareness itself. Next, a 2-minute Sky and Weather Metaphor illustrates self-as-context. The sky represents the observer self, while changing weather represents thoughts and feelings. No matter how turbulent the weather, the sky remains unchanged, demonstrating how internal experiences are transient and do not define a person. This metaphor encourages participants to see themselves as the stable observer of their experiences. A 4-minute experiential exercise follows, guiding participants through mindfulness practice. It begins with a brief preparation (30 seconds) where participants find a comfortable position, close their eyes, and tune into their breath. Breath awareness (30 seconds) follows, encouraging observation of natural breathing. Participants then spend 2 minutes observing their thoughts, noticing their form (images, sounds, words), velocity (fast, slow, still), and perceived location. They are reminded that if they can notice their thoughts, they are not their thoughts. The exercise concludes with 1 minute of reflection, emphasising the value of connecting with the observing self to create space for difficult experiences without suppressing them. The final 30 seconds summarise key points, reinforcing that self-as-context helps create psychological distance from internal experiences. Participants are encouraged to continue practising this perspective in daily life. The video ends with gratitude and farewell. o After the video, participants will answer an open-ended question as an attention and manipulation check (1 minute). o All participants will then complete the momentary measures (14 items) (3 minutes). • Phase Four (Re-exposure; Approx. 10 minutes) Immediately following Phase Three, participants will re-read their written account from Phase Two (3 minutes). The SAC condition will be prompted to use the skills taught in the video. They will then complete the momentary measures (14 items) (7 minutes). • Phase Five (Return to Baseline; Approx. 8 minutes) All participants will watch a 2-minute calming sensory video - https://youtu.be/14XxolEJloE?si=Ha-ata512I3TQ1y- (Time stamps – 29 mins – 31 mins). They will then complete the momentary measures (14 items) (6 minutes).