AUTHOR=Wu Tian , Wang Duu-chiang 

TITLE=Experiences of friendship among autistic adults: a scoping review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1523506

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1523506

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=AimsIn this review, we comprehensively mapped the literature on the experiences of friendship among autistic adultsData sourcesA scoping review was conducted following databases from the earliest records to December 2023 in four electronic databases (PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science and EBSCO (Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, APA PsycArticles, APA PsyInfo, and Open Dissertations) to (a) identify the quantity, breadth, and methodological characteristics of the literature, (b) summarize and synthesize key research findings, and (c) explore knowledge gaps to guide future research.ResultsA total of 22 empirical studies were included. The results indicated that the most frequently studied components were friendship status; friendship practice; meaning of friendships; relationships between friendship and other factors.ConclusionFuture studies should incorporate the voice of autistic adults and focus on the dynamics and contexts of friendship experiences.