Adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of loneliness, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these feelings of loneliness predict significant negative mental and physical health outcomes. Underpinning the need to understand risk and protective mechanisms for the development of loneliness in high-risk populations such as ASD. Using a prospective, longitudinal design and cutting-edge, ecologically valid measures, the current proposal will provide critical missing information about the cognitive, neural, and social mechanisms that predict the development of loneliness in adolescents with typical development and ASD. A better understanding of these risk and protective mechanisms will allow for more targeted interventions to reduce the experience of loneliness and associated negative outcomes.

Click here for more information and to participate in the study