Being Connected: Exploring Associations Between Quality of Life and Social Connectedness in Middle-Aged and Older Autistic Adults

Background: Autistic adults report lower quality of life (QoL), but little is known about how social connectedness and aging interact to shape QoL in middle-aged and older autistic populations. This is important as autistic people themselves have identified improving QoL and social well-being as top research priorities. To address this gap, this study examined differences in QoL and social connectedness between autistic and non-autistic adults, and how age and gender influence these patterns. Methods: Two hundred sixty-five autistic adults and 167 non-autistic adults aged 40–93 completed self-report measures of social connectedness, QoL, and symptoms of poor mental health. 2 × 2 analyses of variance (ANOVAs) analyzed group and gender differences in QoL. Pearson correlations and Fisher’s r -to- z tests assessed associations between social connectedness and QoL. Post hoc analyses examined age group differences. Results: Compared with the non-autistic group, the autistic group reported significantly lower social connectedness scores, as well as lower QoL across all domains. Social connectedness positively correlated with QoL in both groups but showed a significantly stronger association with Psychological QoL and Social QoL in the autistic group. Gender and age moderated these associations, with autistic men having stronger associations than autistic women. Post hoc analyses revealed interactions between autism group and age group across all four QoL domains, with autistic people in older age having significantly lower scores than autistic people in midlife, a pattern not observed in the non-autistic group. Conclusion: Social connectedness may play a key role in shaping QoL for autistic adults as they age. Tailored, lifespan-focused support is needed to promote sustained social connection and foster well-being.