The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted autism research and services. Early career researchers (ECRs) are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic on job security and career development. The goal of this study was to capture the challenges ECRs are facing during the pandemic and the supports that are needed for career development and research. ECRs were invited to complete an online survey that focused on four major areas; the impact of COVID-19 on their research; changes in productivity due to COVID-19; changes to training due to COVID-19; and current mental health. 150 ECRs were eligible and provided sufficient data for inclusion. All but one ECRs reported their research had been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Reductions in productivity were reported by 85% of ECRs. The biggest impacts included recruitment of participants, increased needs at home and personal mental health. ECRs reported a 3-fold increase in burnout, as well as increased anxiety. ECR supports, such as funding, flexibility, and tenure extensions, are required to ensure ASD research does not suffer from a “lost generation” of researchers.

中文翻译：

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迷失的一代？ COVID-19 大流行对早期职业 ASD 研究人员的影响


COVID-19 大流行扰乱了自闭症研究和服务。早期职业研究人员（ECR）特别容易受到疫情对工作保障和职业发展的影响。本研究的目的是了解 ECR 在大流行期间面临的挑战以及职业发展和研究所需的支持。 ECR 受邀完成一项在线调查，重点关注四个主要领域； COVID-19 对他们研究的影响； COVID-19 导致生产力发生变化；由于新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 疫情，培训发生变化；以及目前的心理健康状况。 150 个 ECR 符合资格并提供了足够的数据可供纳入。除一名 ECR 外，所有其他机构都报告说，他们的研究受到了这一流行病的负面影响。 85% 的 ECR 报告生产力下降。最大的影响包括参与者的招募、家庭需求的增加和个人心理健康。 ECR 报告称，倦怠感增加了 3 倍，焦虑感也增加了。需要 ECR 支持，例如资金、灵活性和任期延长，以确保 ASD 研究不会受到“迷失的一代”研究人员的影响。