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Loneliness and Social Anxiety Mediate the Relationship between Autism Quotient and Quality of Life in University Students

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Abstract

Traits associated with autism, along with depression, anxiety, loneliness, quality of life, and social anxiety were investigated by self-report questionnaires in a university student population (N = 413). In the sample, which was recruited online, 8 % had scores above cut-off on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) self-report questionnaire. There were significant differences in AQ between students studying physical sciences and both social sciences and arts/humanities. Higher AQ scores were associated with higher scores of loneliness, social anxiety, depression, and anxiety, as well as with lower scores of quality of life (QoL). QoL was best predicted for by scores of depression, loneliness, and social anxiety; the latter two variables mediated the relationship between autism traits and QoL. The identification and support of such students who may be vulnerable is of utmost importance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK

    Phil Reed, Ashleigh Giles, Martha Gavin & Neil Carter

  2. Abertawe Br-Morgannwg University Health Board, Swansea, UK

    Lisa A. Osborne

Authors
  1. Phil Reed
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  2. Ashleigh Giles
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  3. Martha Gavin
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  4. Neil Carter
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  5. Lisa A. Osborne
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Correspondence to Phil Reed.

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Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. The research was given ethical review and approval by the Ethics Committee of the Psychology Department of the University.

Informed Consent

All participants were given information about the study prior to commencing, informed of the right to withdraw at any time, and indicated consent by clicking a consent button on the survey.

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There were no potential conflicts of interest for any author.

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Reed, P., Giles, A., Gavin, M. et al. Loneliness and Social Anxiety Mediate the Relationship between Autism Quotient and Quality of Life in University Students. J Dev Phys Disabil 28, 723–733 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-016-9504-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-016-9504-2

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