Loneliness and social support in adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorders.
Loneliness and perceived social support were examined in 39 adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) by means of a self-labeling loneliness measure, the UCLA Loneliness Scale (third version), and the Social Support Scale for Children. Twenty-one percent of the boys with ASD described themselves as often or always feeling lonely. Compared with 199 boys from regular schools in a national probability study, ASD was strongly associated with often or always feeling lonely (OR: 7.08, p < .0005), as well as with a higher degree of loneliness (F(1,229) = 11.1, p < .005). Perceived social support from classmates, parents, and a close friend correlated negatively with loneliness in ASD. The study, therefore, indicates a high occurrence of loneliness among adolescent boys with ASD and points at perceived social support as an important protective factor.
Lasgaard
Mathias
M
Department of Psychology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark. mathiasl@psy.au.dk
Nielsen
Annette
A
Eriksen
Mette E
ME
Goossens
Luc
L
D000293:Adolescent; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D015995:Prevalence; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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