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Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Celia Kwan1, Mojgan Gitimoghaddam1,2, Jean-Paul Collet1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Brain Sciences
|October 31, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) experience significant loneliness, impacting their mental health and development. More research is needed to understand and address this issue in pediatric populations with NDD.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Developmental Disabilities Research
  • Social Health Studies

Background:

  • Loneliness and social isolation negatively affect physical and mental health across all age groups.
  • Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) face higher rates of exclusion and loneliness compared to typically developing peers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a scoping review identifying studies on the effects of loneliness and social isolation in children with NDD.
  • To determine the types of research conducted and the outcomes assessed in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Searched three electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO) from inception to February 2019.
  • Included 12 studies after screening 5768 citations; data extracted by two independent reviewers.
  • Employed quantitative (frequency analysis) and qualitative (content analysis) methods.

Main Results:

  • Ten of the included studies were case-control with cross-sectional designs, limiting inferential capabilities.
  • Autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and learning disorders were the most frequently studied NDDs.
  • Loneliness in children with NDD is linked to adverse mental health, behavioral, and psychosocial/emotional outcomes, with potential long-term adult consequences.

Conclusions:

  • The current research landscape suggests loneliness is underrecognized as a significant issue in children with NDD.
  • Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are crucial to understand the developmental trajectory of loneliness in this vulnerable group.

Keywords:
childrenisolationlonelinessneurodisabilitypediatrics

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