Wellbeing, place, and autism: The neighbourhood environment and its impact on the wellbeing of autistic young people

This project aims to investigate the role of the neighbourhood environment in both enhancing and limiting the wellbeing of autistic young people. In particular, this project aims to understand how autistic young people’s wellbeing is affected by their interactions with people and the local landscape, and to ask how the neighbourhood environment can be changed to improve the wellbeing of autistic young people.

This project is being undertaken as part of the requirements for Franz van Beusekom’s Master of Arts.

What Type of Participants are being sought?

For this project, we are aiming to recruit 15 to 20 participants. To take part in this research, participants must:

  • Be 16 to 24 years old,
  • Be either diagnosed or identify as autistic
  • Live in Dunedin.

What will Participants be Asked to Do?

Should you agree to take part in this project, you will be provided with a camera for two weeks and asked to take photographs (ideally at least one photo per day) of features of your neighbourhood that either positively or negatively affect your wellbeing.

Ideally you don’t take pictures of people. At the end of the two weeks, you will be invited to take part in a 30- to 60-minute interview. The interview will take place in a location of your choice, and will be an opportunity for you to discuss the reasons for taking the photos you took. With your permission, the interview will be audio recorded. If you prefer, you may have a support person with you during the interview or during any part of the research.

Please be aware that you may decide not to take part in the project without any disadvantage to yourself of any kind.

Upon completing your participation in the project, we will provide you with a NZ$10 voucher as a token of our appreciation.

Download the application form

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