Exploring music in the everyday lives of autistic women: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Introduction: This qualitative study examined the perceptions and contribution of music to the everyday lives of autistic women. It draws on the neurodiversity paradigm and feminist theories of disability. The first author’s autistic lived experience may have influenced these perspectives, but it also provides a more profound and nuanced understanding of these women’s experiences and culture. Method: A constructivist qualitative paradigm appropriate for research involving sensitive or underexplored populations was implemented. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with nine Israeli autistic women aged 25–55 from various social backgrounds. The data were analyzed according to the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Findings: Four superordinate themes were developed from the data analysis: music throughout life, music as a facilitator of participation in society, music as an expression of diversity and normalization, autistic masking and the loss of musical identity. Discussion: The findings suggest that the participants perceived music as highly significant, as it catalyzed self-expression and resilience. Yet, they also revealed challenges stemming from societal norms and the stigma associated with autism that potentially led to identity conflicts and masking behaviors that undermined music’s contribution to their lives. The study highlights the complex interplay between the participants’ musical, autistic and social identities, and further illustrates how music serves as a medium for expressing these intersecting aspects of their identity.