“Like a Polar Bear in a Rainforest”: A Qualitative Study on Loneliness among Young Adults with Autism

Abstract

While over half of Dutch young adults feel lonely to some extent, loneliness is even more prevalent among individuals with autism. So far, no qualitative studies have examined loneliness among young adults with autism as its main focus. Consequently, there is insufficient knowledge of their experiences to develop effective support strategies that reduce the loneliness rates in this group. To address this gap, this study examined how young adults with autism described loneliness, its causes, and their coping mechanisms. Eight in-depth interviews were thematically analyzed, using inductive coding. Results show several commonalities with literature on broader populations, such as loneliness being defined as feeling mentally or physically separated from others. By contrast, reasons for loneliness unique to young adults with autism were feeling alone in struggles resulting from autism, such as difficulties with social interactions, and feeling the need to hide autistic traits to fit in socially. Participants also emphasized the importance of surrounding themselves by understanding, accepting, and open-minded people. They found people with these characteristics by being authentic and engaging in activities that match their interests. Thus, while many descriptions matched those among the broader population, this study also revealed mechanisms that are more specific to young adults with autism. These deviations should be considered when generalizing conceptualizations of loneliness to this group. Moreover, the results imply that reducing loneliness among young adults with autism requires accepting environments that support authenticity and enable connections with neurodivergent peers.