Feeling of loneliness in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders

One of the features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the difficulty in social interaction, including communication deficits, emotional reciprocity and social skills. Problems in establishing and maintaining social relations and functioning in a group of peers are also a problem, what can lead to a feeling of loneliness. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the feeling of loneliness, traits of autism spectrum disorders and cognitive functioning – primarily in terms of verbal fluency. The study involved 50 adolescents with autism spectrum disorders aged 13 to 19 years and 50 adolescents with typical development. The study was conducted using questionnaire methods – Polish versions of De Jong Gierveld’s Sense of Loneliness Scale and Baron-Cohen's Autism Quotient Questionnaire. Cognitive functioning was also assessed. The results of the study showed that the feeling of loneliness is associated with both the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders and their severity. Moreover, the link between the feeling of loneliness and the results of cognitive tests in a group of teenagers with autism spectrum disorders was found. The results suggest that the perception of loneliness in the case of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders may be moderated by their level of cognitive functioning. These conclusions, however, require further research including additional measurements of cognitive functioning.