Fig. 2

The best-fitting model for the relationship between self-stigma, autistic and depressive symptoms, and recovery. The adopted best-fitting model is shown in Fig. 2. The best-fitting model showed the following statistics for the model fit: chi-square statistic = 10.790, df = 14, p = 0.702; GFI = 0.978; AGFI = 0.929; CFI = 1.000; AIC = 72.790; and RMSEA < 0.001. The AQ “attention switching” subscale has a significant direct effect on the ISMI “alienation” subscale (SDE = 0.215, p = 0.001), “stereotype endorsement” subscale (SDE = 0.261, p < 0.001), and “social withdrawal” subscale (SDE = 0.191, p = 0.006). The AQ “communication skills” subscale has a significant direct effect on the ISMI “perceived discrimination” subscale (SDE = 0.270, p < 0.001) and the QIDS score (depressive symptoms) (SDE = 0.307, p < 0.001). The ISMI “stereotype endorsement” subscale directly affected the QIDS score (SDE = 0.343, p < 0.001). Further, the RAS score (recovery) was directly influenced by the “stigma resistance” subscale (SDE = − 0.377, p < 0.001) and the QIDS score (SDE = − 0.460, p < 0.001). The ISMI “stereotype endorsement” subscale (SIDE = − 0.158) and the AQ “communication skills” subscale (SIDE = − 0.174) indirectly affect the RAS score via the QIDS score