f f f f f f f f f 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?
f
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
