a 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’s V is
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
was M= 25.13, the standard deviation was SD= 7.96; the mean age for the
participants who were typically developed (TD) was M= 22.16 with a standard
deviation of 5.25; a Cohen’s d= 0.44 was found (Hancock et al., 2020). The
participants, ASD & TD, completed anonymous questionnaires including: Autism
Quotient and the Sexual 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 a t-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 Links 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
