Continuity and change in loneliness and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of autistic and non-autistic adults.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have suggested that autistic adults may be negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated restrictions. In this study, we examined continuity and change in loneliness and stress, and their predictors, in 448 autistic and 70 non-autistic adults living in the Netherlands. Autistic participants were assessed on three occasions using the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and Perceived Stress Scale (pre-lockdown (T0), first lockdown (T1), and second lockdown (T2)); non-autistic participants were assessed twice (T1 and T2). Autistic adults' loneliness and stress levels remained stable across all three time points over 8 months, but were consistently higher than those of non-autistic adults. Other predictors of higher loneliness and stress levels at the first loc

SUBMITTER: Scheeren AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9538450 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature