Leiden University Student Repository

Sondermann, Jan-Hendrik (2022)

The Role of Loneliness and Meaning in Life in the Mental Health of University Students with Autism

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

Background: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life in the mental health of students with autism is unknown. Aim: To investigate the impact that loneliness and meaning in life have on different mental health outcomes for university students with and without a diagnosis of autism. The examined mental health outcomes were depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Online survey. The sample consisted of 59 students with autism and 163 neurotypical university students in the Netherlands. Results: Students with autism reported lower levels of meaning in life and higher levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than their neurotypical peers. Both loneliness and low meaning in life could significantly predict all the mental outcomes. Loneliness was also predictor of low meaning in life. For participants with autism,...Show moreBackground: University students with autism are more likely to experience mental health issues during their studies than their neurotypical peers. The exact role of loneliness and meaning in life in the mental health of students with autism is unknown. Aim: To investigate the impact that loneliness and meaning in life have on different mental health outcomes for university students with and without a diagnosis of autism. The examined mental health outcomes were depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Online survey. The sample consisted of 59 students with autism and 163 neurotypical university students in the Netherlands. Results: Students with autism reported lower levels of meaning in life and higher levels of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than their neurotypical peers. Both loneliness and low meaning in life could significantly predict all the mental outcomes. Loneliness was also predictor of low meaning in life. For participants with autism, there was no evidence of meaning in life mediating the relationship of loneliness with depression and anxiety. However, meaning in life fully mediated the effect that loneliness has on suicidal ideation. Regarding the neurotypical sample, there was evidence of a partial mediation of meaning in life for all three mental health outcomes. Conclusion: Students with autism are at greater risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Both loneliness and low meaning in life may contribute to this. If replicated, universities may be advised to offer social support, as well as interventions targeting meaning in life to their students with autism.Show less

autism spectrum disorder

loneliness

meaning in life

depression

anxiety

suicidal ideation

Author

Sondermann, Jan-Hendrik

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Clinical Psychology

Supervisors

van der Does, A.J.W.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en