Adults with HF-ASD in Loving Relationships – A Research Report
Keywords:
High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, adulthood, loving relationship, Triangular Theory of LoveAbstract
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience a need for loving relationships, however they face problems in engagement and family functioning. The presented study was based of Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love. 38 adults with high functioning ASD [16 females (42%) and 22 males (58%)] aged 18 to 47, voluntarily and anonymously participated in the study. Two measures were used; the AQ (Autism Spectrum Quotient) and the Test of the Triangular Theory of Love. The results showed that among adults with HF-ASD, the intensity of love components is not correlated with autistic symptoms. On the basis of the presented findings, it might be concluded that the intensity of autistic features was not found as a variable affecting love components. The presented survey strives to fill the gap in this field of autism research. However, this preliminary outcome should be verified in wider research with more controlled variables.References
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Ballan, M.S., & Freyer, M.B. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescence, and Sexuality Education: Suggested Interventions for Mental Health Professionals. Sexuality and Disability, 35 (2), 261-273. DOI: 10.1007/s11195-017-9477-9.
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Pisula, E., Kawa, R., Szostakiewicz, Ł., Łucka, I., Kawa, M., & Rynkiewicz, A. (2013). Autistic Traits in Male and Female Students and Individuals with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders Measured by the Polish Version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient. PLOS ONE, Open Access, 8 (9), e75236.
Rynkiewicz, A., Schuller, B., Marchi, E., Piana, S., Camurri, A., Lassalle, A., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2016). An investigation of the ‘female camouflage effect’ in autism using acomputerized ADOS-2, and atest of sex/gender differences. MOL AUTISM 7:10. DOI: 10.1186/s13229016-0073-0.
Schmidt, P. (2012). Kaktus na walentynki czyli miłość Aspergerowca. Warszawa: Fraszka Edukacyjna.
Slater-Walker, C., & Slater-Walker, G. (2002). An Asperger marriage. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sternberg, R. (1997). Construct validation of triangular love scale. European Journal of Social Psychology, 27, 313-335.
Sternberg, R.J. (1986). Atriangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93, 119-135.
Sternberg, R.J. (1988). Triangulating love. In R.J. Sternberg, & M. Barnes (Eds.), The psychology of love (pp. 119-138). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Tullis, Ch.A., & Zangrillo, A.N. (2013). Sexuality Education For Adolescents And Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Psychology in the Schools, 50 (9), 866-875. DOI: 10.1002/ pits 21713.
Wojciszke, B. (2016). Psychologia miłości. Intymność, namiętność, zaangażowanie. Gdańsk: GWP.
Aston, M. (2003). Asperger in love: couple relationships and family affair. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Aston, M.C. (2012). Asperger Syndrome in the Bedroom Sexual and Relationship Therapy: International Perspectives on Theory. Research and Practice 27 (1) 73-79.
Attwood, T. (2012). Relationship problems of Adult with Asperger’sSyndrome. In S.Moreno, M.Wheeler, & K. Parkinson (Eds.), The Partner’s Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Attwood, T. (2013). From Like to Love for Young People with Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): Learning How to Express and Enjoy Affection with Family and Friends. London: Jessica Kingsley Publisher.
Ballan, M.S., & Freyer, M.B. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescence, and Sexuality Education: Suggested Interventions for Mental Health Professionals. Sexuality and Disability, 35 (2), 261-273. DOI: 10.1007/s11195-017-9477-9.
Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ): Evidence from Asperger Syndrome/high functioning autism males and females, scientists and mathematicians. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31, 5-17.
Bryniarska, A. (2016).Natężenie zaburzeń ze spektrum autyzmu a związki miłosne u osób z ASD w dorosłości/ Intensity of autism spectrum disorders and romantic relationships in ASD adults. Unpublished master thesis prepared under supervision of Joanna Kossewska, Ph.D. Pedagogical University. Cracow, Poland.
Christensen, D.L., Baio, J., Braun, K.V., Bilder, D., Charles, J., Constantino, J.N., Daniels, J., Durkin, M.S., Fitzgerald, R.T., Kurzius-Spencer, M., Lee, L.C., Pettygrove, S., Robinson, C., Schulz, E., Wells, C., Wingate, M.S., Zahorodny, W., & Yeargin-Allsopp, M. (2016). Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years -Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2012. MMWR Surveill Summ 2016, 65, 1-23. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6503a1.
Edmonds, G., & Worton, D. (2005). The Asperger love guide: Apractical guide for adults with Asperger’s syndrome to seeking, establishing and maintaining successful relationships. London: Sage Publications.
Erikson, E.H., & Erikson, J.M. (1998). The Life Cycle Completed: Extended Version. New York: W.W. Norton& Company.
Głuszko, K. (2015). Szukajcie mnie wśród szaleńców. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo M-D-M.
Grandin, T. (1995). Thinking in pictures and other reports from my life with autism. New York: Doubleday.
Grandin, T., & Panek, R. (2013). The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Havighurst, R. (1981). Developmental tasks and education. New York: Longmans Green.
Hénault, I. (2005). Asperger’s syndrome and sexuality: From adolescence through adulthood. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Hénault, I., & Attwood, T. (2006). The sexual profile of adults with Asperger’s syndrome: The need for support and intervention. In I. Hénault (Ed.), Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From adolescence to adulthood. London: Jessica Kingsley Publisher.
Kim, Y.S., Leventhal, B.L., Koh, Y.J., Fombonne, E., Laska, E., Lim, E.C., Cheon, K.A., Kim, S.J., Kim, J.K., Lee, H.K., Song, D.H., & Grinker, R.R. (2011). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Total Population Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168, 904-912. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10101532.
Koegel, L.K., Detar, W.J. Fox, A., & Koegel, R.L. (2014). Romantic Relationships, Sexuality, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In F.R. Volkmar, B. Reichow, & J. McPartland (Eds.), Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (pp. 87-104). Springer-Verlag New York. DOI 10.1007/978-1-4939-0506-5.
Levinson, D.J. (1986). Aconception of adult development. American Psychologist, 41 (1), 3-13. DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.41.1.3.
McIlwee Myers, J. (2006). Dating, relationships and marriage. In T. Attwood, T. Grandin, T. Bolick, C. Faherty, L. Iland, J. McIlwee Myers, R. Snyder, S. Wagner, & M. Wrobel (Eds.), Asperger’s and girls (pp. 106-145). Arlington: Future Horisons.
Mesibov, G.B. (1985). Current perspectives and issues in autism and adolescence. In E. Schopler, & G.B. Mesibov (Eds.), Autism in adolescents and adults (pp. 11-36). New York: Plenum Press.
Newport, J., & Newport, M. (2007). Mozart and the whale: An Asperger’s love story. New York: Allen & Unwin.
Ormond, S., Brownlow, C., Garnett, M.S., Attwood, T., & Rynkiewicz, A.(2017). Profiling Autism Symptomatology in Females: An Exploration of the Q-ASC in a Clinical Setting. IMFAR 2017. 16th Annual International Meeting For Autism Research. International Society for Autism Research (INSAR). Proceedings, San Francisco, USA.
Pisula, E., Kawa, R., Szostakiewicz, Ł., Łucka, I., Kawa, M., & Rynkiewicz, A. (2013). Autistic Traits in Male and Female Students and Individuals with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders Measured by the Polish Version of the Autism Spectrum Quotient. PLOS ONE, Open Access, 8 (9), e75236.
Rynkiewicz, A., Schuller, B., Marchi, E., Piana, S., Camurri, A., Lassalle, A., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2016). An investigation of the ‘female camouflage effect’ in autism using acomputerized ADOS-2, and atest of sex/gender differences. MOL AUTISM 7:10. DOI: 10.1186/s13229016-0073-0.
Schmidt, P. (2012). Kaktus na walentynki czyli miłość Aspergerowca. Warszawa: Fraszka Edukacyjna.
Slater-Walker, C., & Slater-Walker, G. (2002). An Asperger marriage. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Sternberg, R. (1997). Construct validation of triangular love scale. European Journal of Social Psychology, 27, 313-335.
Sternberg, R.J. (1986). Atriangular theory of love. Psychological Review, 93, 119-135.
Sternberg, R.J. (1988). Triangulating love. In R.J. Sternberg, & M. Barnes (Eds.), The psychology of love (pp. 119-138). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Tullis, Ch.A., & Zangrillo, A.N. (2013). Sexuality Education For Adolescents And Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Psychology in the Schools, 50 (9), 866-875. DOI: 10.1002/ pits 21713.
Wojciszke, B. (2016). Psychologia miłości. Intymność, namiętność, zaangażowanie. Gdańsk: GWP.
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Published
2017-12-01
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Kossewska, J. ., & Bryniarska, A. (2017). Adults with HF-ASD in Loving Relationships – A Research Report. Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Psychologica, 10(1), 69–76. Retrieved from https://studia-psychologica.uken.krakow.pl/article/view/5641
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