The Broad Autism Phenotype, Emotion Recognition, and Romantic Relationships

Background: The broad autism phenotype (BAP), or subclinical features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), has been identified in people both with and without relatives with ASD. Broad autism phenotype features include aloof personality, rigid personality, and pragmatic language deficits. People with higher levels of BAP features have more intimate relationship difficulties than those with lower levels of BAP features, whether or not they have a relative with ASD. People with higher levels of BAP also have difficulty understanding others’ facial expressions, which may impede their ability to initiate and maintain romantic relationships.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between BAP features, emotion recognition skills, and romantic relationship functioning in emerging adults with and without relatives with autism.

Methods: Participants (N = 235, 80% female, mean age = 20) were in two groups: (1) emerging adults with no known relatives with ASD (No Relative Group; n = 115) and (2) emerging adults with relatives with ASD (Relative Group; n = 120). Relatives were most often siblings (n = 49) and cousins (n = 57) of people with ASD. Approximately 54% of the participants (n = 127) were in a romantic relationship at the time of the study. All participants completed an online survey, which included the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task, the Dating and Friendship Questionnaire, and the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale.

Results: Participants with higher BAP scores had significantly fewer numbers of past romantic relationships compared to participants with lower BAP scores. Similarly, participants with higher BAP scores had significantly weaker emotion recognition abilities compared to people with lower BAP scores. Mediation analyses revealed that people with higher BAP scores experienced fewer numbers of romantic relationships, in part because of their weaker emotion recognition skills. There was no association between BAP scores and romantic loneliness, relationship satisfaction, and duration of current romantic relationships. Additionally, participants with the BAP (n = 60) and without the BAP (n = 175) did not differ in their current dating status. Participants in the Relative and No Relative group did not differ on their average number of past romantic relationships or on their scores of emotion recognition.

Conclusions: It is important for parents without the BAP to model strong emotion recognition skills (e.g., by emphasizing how others feel based on their facial expressions) for young adults who exhibit features of the BAP in order to promote healthy romantic relationships. It is also important to inform family members of people with ASD about the BAP so that relatives who exhibit more BAP features may recognize these features in themselves and can experience the benefits of romantic relationships by seeking help and resources. By improving the quality of life of relatives of people with ASD, these individuals will be empowered to provide better care and advocacy for their relatives with ASD.