Autistic individuals may struggle with friendships due to challenges with social communication, understanding nonverbal cues, and navigating social expectations.
These difficulties can lead to misunderstandings, anxiety, and difficulty forming and maintaining friendships.
Additionally, autistic individuals may experience sensory sensitivities or have strong interests that can make it challenging to find common ground with peers.
Libster, N., Adams, R., Bishop, S., Zheng, S., & Taylor, J. L. Satisfaction with friendship support protects autistic youth from the negative effects of peer victimization. Autism. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251322923
Key Points
- Autistic youth are more likely to experience peer victimization than their non-autistic peers.
- Peer victimization is associated with psychological distress in autistic youth.
- Satisfaction with friendship support can protect autistic youth from the negative mental health effects of peer victimization.
- Interventions designed to ameliorate depression among autistic youth should focus on reducing peer victimization and facilitating healthy, supportive friendships.
Rationale
Previous research has established a link between peer victimization and negative mental health outcomes, including depression, in both autistic and non-autistic youth.
Studies have also shown that friendships can buffer against the adverse effects of peer victimization in the general population.
However, there was a gap in understanding whether this protective effect of friendships extends to autistic youth.
This study aimed to address this gap by investigating the relationship between peer victimization, satisfaction with friendship support, and depressive symptoms in a sample of autistic youth.
Method
The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional design.
Procedure
- Participants were recruited from research registries and databases.
- Eligibility was assessed through phone or video calls.
- Youth and parents provided consent (assent for youth under 18 years).
- Participants completed the study protocol using remote survey and interview platforms.
Sample
- The sample consisted of 224 autistic youth without an intellectual disability between the ages of 15 and 25 years (M = 18.68 years, SD = 2.58).
- The majority of participants were male (75%) and White (87.1%).
Measures
- Peer victimization was measured using the Revised Schwartz Peer Victimization Scale.
- Satisfaction with friendship support was assessed with an item from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale.
- Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II.
Statistical measures
Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the main effect of satisfaction with friendship support on depressive symptoms and its moderating effect on the association between peer victimization and depressive symptoms.
Results
- Hypothesis 1: Satisfaction with friendship support would be negatively associated with depressive symptoms. This hypothesis was not supported.
- Hypothesis 2: Satisfaction with friendship support would moderate the association between peer victimization and depressive symptoms. This hypothesis was supported.
Insight
This study provides novel evidence that satisfaction with friendship support can protect autistic youth from the adverse mental health effects of peer victimization.
The findings extend previous research by demonstrating that the stress-buffering effect of friendships observed in the general population also applies to autistic youth.
The study highlights the importance of considering the quality and supportiveness of friendships, rather than just the quantity of friendships, in promoting the mental health of autistic youth.
Future research could explore the specific aspects of friendship support that are most beneficial for autistic youth and investigate the effectiveness of interventions designed to enhance friendship quality and reduce peer victimization.
Implications
The findings have implications for practitioners and policymakers working with autistic youth.
Practitioners should focus on developing interventions that not only reduce peer victimization but also foster healthy and supportive friendships.
Policymakers should consider implementing school-wide programs that promote positive social interactions and provide support for autistic students who may be experiencing peer victimization.
The potential benefits of implementing these findings include improved mental health and well-being for autistic youth.
However, challenges may include the need for resources and training to effectively implement interventions and programs.
Strengths
This study had several methodological strengths, including:
- The study used a large sample of autistic youth.
- The study included multiple measures of peer victimization, friendship support, and depressive symptoms.
- The study controlled for potential confounding variables such as age, IQ, and gender.
Limitations
This study also had several methodological limitations, including:
- The study used a cross-sectional design, which limits the ability to draw causal inferences.
- The sample was predominantly White and male, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
- The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias.
Socratic Questions
- How might the findings of this study differ if the sample included autistic youth with intellectual disabilities?
- What are the potential ethical considerations when implementing interventions aimed at reducing peer victimization and promoting friendships among autistic youth?
- How can schools and communities create more inclusive environments that support positive social interactions for autistic youth?
- What are some alternative explanations for the observed relationship between satisfaction with friendship support and depressive symptoms in autistic youth?
- How can the findings of this study be used to inform the development of more effective interventions and support services for autistic youth?
