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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
Satisfaction with social connectedness is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in neurodiverse first-semester college students
Autism : the international journal of research and practice
21 Feb 2024
PMID: 38380636
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
How satisfied people feel with their social connections and support is related to mental health outcomes for many different types of people. People may feel less socially connected at some times in their life-like when they start college. Feeling disconnected from others could lead to depression or anxiety. The transition to college may be especially difficult for autistic students as they are more likely to have difficulties adjusting socially. In our study, we asked 263 college students to answer questions about their emotions and social satisfaction twice per week during their first semester of college. We found that students who reported being less satisfied with their social connectedness (either at the beginning or throughout the semester) tended to express more symptoms of depression and anxiety. This relationship between social satisfaction and anxiety was even stronger for people who had a strong desire for social interaction (i.e. were more socially motivated). Students with more autistic traits tended to report more mood concerns, and they also reported being less satisfied with friendships at the beginning of the semester. This information may help to support ongoing efforts to better address mental health in autistic college students by encouraging efforts to improve social satisfaction.
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Details
- Title
- Satisfaction with social connectedness is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in neurodiverse first-semester college students
- Creators
- Erin E McKenney - Rowan UniversityJared K Richards - Stony Brook UniversityTalena C Day - Stony Brook UniversitySteven M Brunwasser - Rowan UniversityClaudia L Cucchiara - Rowan UniversityBella Kofner - College of Staten IslandRachel G McDonald - Montclair State UniversityKristen Gillespie-Lynch - College of Staten IslandJenna Lamm - City University of New YorkErin Kang - Stony Brook UniversityMatthew D Lerner - Stony Brook UniversityKatherine O Gotham - Rowan University
- Publication Details
- Autism : the international journal of research and practice
- Publisher
- Sage
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001169363100001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85185523113
- Other Identifier
- 991021861629804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Psychology, Developmental