i i i i i i i i i i 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?
i
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
