Understanding the Impact of Living Situation and Social Satisfaction on Depression and Substance Use in Autistic Young Adults Without Intellectual Disability.

Autism in adulthood · 2026 · Other · OT
María E Contreras-Pérez, Xiangyu Tao, Olivia Vezina, Anthony Spirito, Stephen J Sheinkopf, Casey A Cragin, Kristina M Jackson

Among autistic young adults without intellectual disability, living alone was associated with more social satisfaction and fewer depressive symptoms; living with peers was associated with more alcohol and cannabis use. Cross-sectional design means these are associations, not cause-and-effect.

Key findings

1

Living alone (versus with parents or guardians) was associated with greater social satisfaction, which in turn was associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The indirect effect was significant.

2

Living with friends, roommates, or a significant other was directly associated with greater alcohol and cannabis use compared to living with parents. No indirect effect through social satisfaction was found for substance use.

3

Social satisfaction was inversely correlated with depression (r = −.45, p < .001) but was unrelated to alcohol or cannabis use in this sample.

MethodologyResultsClinical Relevance

Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants were randomized across two intervention arms and assessed at twelve weeks for the primary outcome…

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