Does social skills training help children and teens with loneliness?
Loneliness in children and adolescents is a significant concern because it is linked to poorer mental and physical health. Research is ongoing to determine which interventions, such as social skills training, are most effective at helping young people feel more connected.
What the research says
A meta-analysis of studies involving children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 found that social and emotional skills training was the most effective type of intervention for targeting loneliness 2. However, the results across different types of studies were mixed. For example, randomized controlled trials showed a small but not statistically significant reduction in loneliness, while single-cohort studies showed a moderate but also non-significant effect 2.
Research also suggests that social skills and attachment styles play a role in how adolescents perceive loneliness 6. For children with autism spectrum disorder, specific social skills interventions—such as those using group play to encourage social problem-solving—are often recommended to help them develop social skills 5. Additionally, some research indicates that the type of social engagement matters; for some children, being in close proximity to peers (parallel engagement) may lead to less loneliness than being actively engaged in a group 7.
What to ask your doctor
- What specific types of social and emotional skills training are available for my child?
- How can we determine if my child's loneliness is linked to specific social engagement challenges?
- Are there school-based programs or group activities that can help improve my child's social problem-solving skills?
- What are the signs that a social skills intervention is successfully helping my child feel less lonely?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Psychiatry and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.