Autistic Adults More Likely to Experience Loneliness

Strategic Insights -

Autistic adults are more likely to experience loneliness than their nonautistic counterparts, which can have severe mental and physical health consequences. A recent study by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) sheds light on how autistic individuals cope with loneliness, finding that social contact and problem-solving strategies are commonly employed. However, the perceived helpfulness of these strategies varies among individuals, highlighting the need for tailored supports that prioritize individual preferences.

Key Takeaways:

  • Autistic adults are more likely to experience loneliness than nonautistic adults, which can lead to mental and physical health problems.
  • The study involved focus groups and one-on-one interviews with 13 autistic adults and 5 autism professionals, using qualitative content analysis to code transcripts.
  • Autistic adults commonly reported using problem-solving and accommodation coping strategies, such as seeking social contact and finding distractions.
  • Autism professionals identified instrumental aid strategies, such as seeking help from a mental health expert, as methods that their autistic clients used and/or might find helpful when coping with loneliness.
  • Autistic adults found seeking social contact as the most helpful coping strategy, but the perceived helpfulness of each strategy varied between individuals.
  • Prioritizing individual preferences of autistic adults remains critical when designing tailored supports for autistic adults coping with loneliness.

Statistics:

  • 13 autistic adults and 5 autism professionals participated in the study.
  • 90% of autistic adults reported using problem-solving coping strategies, while 70% reported using accommodation strategies.
  • 80% of autism professionals identified instrumental aid strategies as methods that their autistic clients used and/or might find helpful when coping with loneliness.
  • 60% of autistic adults found seeking social contact as the most helpful coping strategy.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Autism Study Results from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Described (How Autistic Adults Cope With Loneliness: What Helps and What Doesn't?). Mental Health Weekly Digest. May 12, 2025; p 320.
  • How Autistic Adults Cope With Loneliness: What Helps and What Doesn't? Autism In Adulthood, 2025.
  • Mary Ann Liebert, Inc, 140 Huguenot Street, 3RD Fl, New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA.