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Anxiety, Social Deficits, and Loneliness in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among anxiety, loneliness, and degree of social skill deficit in a sample of youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Participants (N = 20) were between 7 and 14 years of age, verbal, and had low average or higher assessed intelligence (average IQ = 92 ± 14.41). Youth who self-reported elevated levels of anxiety reported greater feelings of social loneliness. Those participants earning above average total anxiety scores reported significantly more loneliness than those with less anxiety (F = 6.60, p < .05). A significant relationship between parent-reported child withdrawal and depression and social disability also was found. Recommendations for assessment of co-occurring psychiatric problems in youth with ASD are offered.

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Acknowledgments

This project was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health [1K01MH079945-01; PI: S. W. White]. The authors acknowledge the consultation of Jessica Schneider, MA.

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  1. Susan W. White

    Present address: Department of Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 109 Williams Hall (0436), Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Susan W. White & Roxann Roberson-Nay

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  1. Susan W. White
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  2. Roxann Roberson-Nay
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Correspondence to Susan W. White.

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White, S.W., Roberson-Nay, R. Anxiety, Social Deficits, and Loneliness in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 39, 1006–1013 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0713-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0713-8

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