What Personal, Social, and Contextual Factors Promote Happiness among Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Review with Implications for Researchers and Practitioners

Abstract

Achieving happiness is essential to boost social emotional development among children and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, there has been limited reviews on a wide range of intrinsic and extrinsic factors that facilitate well-being outcomes among individuals with ASD. This review article provides a summary on dispositional, social, and contextual factors that promote well-being among children and adolescents with autism. Personal factors that have been found to influence happiness among individuals with autism include personality, self-esteem, and emotion regulation. Social factors such as parents, peers or friends, and teachers also contribute to well-being among youth with ASD. Importantly, the role of contextual and broader ecological factors such as inclusive educational policies has been elaborated.