Recently, I have been very interested in relationships and
individuals with autism. Specifically, how those with autism identify,
report, and view their capability to have successful romantic relationships.
I have been researching this topic and things adjacent to this topic (i.e.
differences in gender identity among those with autism compared to the
general population) and found these two articles particularly interesting.
In 2017, Dewinter, de Graaf, and Begeer wanted to compare the sexual
orientation and romantic relation experience of adolescents (age >15)
and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the general
population. They believed the research could be a more realistic view on
sexuality and relationships for individuals with ASD and could potentially
lead to better sex education and support for individuals with autism. The
sample of participants with ASD was 675; the group consisted of 48.3%
men and 51.7% women (Dewinter, et al., 2017). All of whom were
registered in the Netherlands Autism Register (NAR). Dewinter et al. noted
that the male to female ratio in this study does differ from the general
autism spectrum population where the diagnosis is more common for
men. The researchers also explained that of the 675 participants with
ASD, those under the age of 25 only consisted of 30 males and 44
females; because of this, the researchers did not draw separate
conclusions for adolescents based on the results. A survey of nine
questions was given to the participants with ASD. Topics included birth
gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status and
evaluation of relationship, duration of the relationship, living situation, and
whether or not the partner has or is suspected of having autism. Sexual
orientation was assessed using five response categories (1=only men, 2=
mostly men, also women, 3=equally to men and women, 4= mostly
women, also men, 5=only women) (Dewinter, et al., 2017). These
questions were part of the Sexual Health questionnaire and allowed for
the comparison of the ASD and control group [general population]
answers; the general population completed the sexual health
questionnaire in its entirety. Both groups were matched on gender and
age (there was not a separation made between adolescents and adults)
(Dewinter, et al., 2017). The researchers examined the results using Chi
square (x^2) tests to test for differences in proportions in categorical
variables. Effect size Cramer’sVis reported in case of significant
difference (Dewinter et al., 2017). The results for “Gender Identity” found
that about 22% of women and 8% of men with ASD reported some gender
non-conforming feelings; however, there was no gender identity data for
the general population. The results for sexual orientation were found to be
more varied than in the general population (Men:p< .01,Cramer’s V=
0.01; (Female: p<.01,Cramer’s V= 0.27) (Dewinter, et al., 2017). More
women with ASD were in a relationship with a woman than the general
population, the effect size of these results was relatively small (x2=
14.48) (Dewinter, et al., 2017). Dewinter et al. stated that the results for
relationship status found that fewer than 50% of the participants with ASD
were in a relationship compared to the general population, but among
those who were in a relationship, a significant portion lived with their
partner. Most of those relationships lasted longer than 12 months and of
the participants (ASD) who were single, around 29% wished they were not
single (Dewinter, et al., 2017). The discussion portion of this study
explained that the findings indicate that regardless of ASD, the majority of
people identify with the gender their born with, feel attraction to those of
the opposite sex, and have been in romantic relationships. The main
difference discovered was that the participants with ASD reported same-
sex attractions more often than the general population.
In 2019, Hancock, Stokes, and Mesibov found that existing research on
individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and romantic
relationships was too varied and often suggests that typically developed
(TD) individuals and those with ASD have a similar level of romantic
interest, but those with ASD experience less relational success and
satisfaction. This study was aimed at identifying routes to positive
relationship experiences and how they differ for individuals with high-
functioning ASD compared to those TD. Hancock et al., gathered a total of
459 participants worldwide- 233 reported diagnoses of ASD, confirmed
with an autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) score of 32. The mean age of the
participants with ASD wasM= 25.13, the standard deviation wasSD=
7.96; the mean age for the participants who were typically developed (TD)
wasM= 22.16 with a standard deviation of 5.25; a Cohen’sd= 0.44 was
found (Hancock et al., 2020). The participants, ASD & TD, completed
anonymous questionnaires including:Autism Quotientand theSexual
Behavior Scale- III edition. The researchers explain that the questionnaires
collected demographic information, 14 scaled items (socializing, social
insight, puberty, sexual behavior, romantic relationship experiences,
attraction, initial romantic interactions, privacy, sexual orientation, sex
education, sexual exchanges, relationship formulation, concerns, and an
optional section of specific sexual behaviors) (Hancock et al., 2020).
Hancock et al. used a Person Separation Index (PSI), which is comparable
to Cronbach’s alpha. The following scales were used: Romantic
Relationship Experience (PSI=0.70, α=0.77), Concern (PSI=0.74, α
=0.73), Socializing (PSI=0.76, α =0.77), and Initial Romantic Interactions
(PSI=0.62, α =0.78) (Hancock et al, 2020). The researchers hypothesized
that compared to the typically developed population, those with ASD
would report having a similar interest in romance but few opportunities,
shorter relationships, and overall greater concerns for future relationships.
Responses from the ASD and TD groups were compared using at-test.
There was no significant difference found between the groups for the
degree of interest in being in a relationship, as hypothesized. The group of
individuals with ASD did report significantly fewer opportunities to develop
relationships, t(457)=1.76, p<0.05, Cohen’s d=0.17, and a relatively
small effect size (Hancock et al., 2020). Compared to the TD group, prior
relationships were also reported to have lasted a significantly shorter
duration for the ASD group, t(321)=2.79, p<0.003, with a small to
moderate effect size, Cohen’s d=0.31 (Hancock et al. 2020). Lastly,
compared to those who are typically developed, individuals with ASD
reported significantly greater concern focused on not being able to build
and maintain good relationships, t(434)=4.71, p<0.001, with a small to
moderate effect size, Cohen’s d=0.44 (Hancock et al., 2020).
I believe that these two articles work together to explain the significance
of better understanding how those with autism view their ability to be in
long, term, stable relationships, especially compared with those in the
general population who are typically developed. I’m curious to know if an
individual with autism’s perception of their romantic relationships affects
their overall mental health. Perhaps we should research that next?
References:
Dewinter, J., De Graaf, H., & Begeer, S. (2017). Sexual Orientation, Gender
Identity, and Romantic Relationships in Adolescents and Adults with
Autism Spectrum Disorder.Journal of Autism and Developmental
Disorders,47(9), 2927-
2934.http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1007/s10803-017-3199-9 (Li
nks to an external site.)
Hancock, G., Stokes, M. A., & Mesibov, G. (2020). Differences in Romantic
Relationship Experiences for Individuals with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.Sexuality and Disability,38(2), 231-
245.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09573-8
