Restricted access

Research article

First published online October 8, 2012

Request permissions

Sexual well-being of a community sample of high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum who have been in a romantic relationship

E. Sandra Byers, Shana Nichols, […], Susan D. Voyer, and Georgianna Reilly+1View all authors and affiliations

Volume 17, Issue 4

https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361311431950

Abstract
References

Abstract

This study explored factors (gender, age, relationship status, symptomatology) associated with the sexual well-being of 141 (56 men and 85 women) adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome (HFA/AS) living in the community. Participants completed an online survey consisting of a measure of autistic symptoms as well as measures of dyadic and solitary sexual well-being. Canonical correlation analyses showed that participants who were currently in a romantic relationship reported more frequent dyadic affectionate and genital activity and greater sexual assertiveness and sexual satisfaction, pointing to the importance of context in an active sex life. After controlling for the first variate, men and individuals with less autism symptomatology, particularly in the social and communication domains, generally reported significantly greater dyadic sexual well-being, including greater sexual satisfaction, assertiveness, arousability, and desire and lower sexual anxiety and fewer sexual problems. Men also reported better solitary sexual well-being, including more sexual thoughts, more sexual desire, and more frequent solitary sexual activity; however, they had lower sexual knowledge. These results highlight the importance for research and sexuality education with individuals with HFA/AS to conceptualize sexual well-being as a multidimensional construct consisting of both dyadic and solitary aspects.

Get full access to this article

View all access and purchase options for this article.

References

Addis ME, Mahalik JR (2003) Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking. American Psychologist 58(1): 5–14.

Allen D, Evans C, Hider A, Hawkins S, Peckett H, Morgan H (2008) Offending behavior in adults with Asperger Syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38: 748–758.

American Psychiatric Association (1994) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th edn). Text revised edn. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Barnhill GP (2007) Outcomes in adults with Asperger syndrome. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities 22(2): 116–126.

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(1): 5–17.

Baumeister RF, Catanese KR, Vohs KD (2001) Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review 5(3): 242–273.

Byers ES (1996) How well does the traditional sexual script explain sexual coercion?: Review of a program of research. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality 8: 7–25.

Chakrabarti S, Fombonne E (2001) Pervasive developmental disorders in preschool children. JAMA 285(24): 3093–3099.

Fombonne E (2003) Epidemiological surveys of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders: An update. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 33: 365–382.

Glenn SA, Byers ES (2009) The roles of situational factors, attributions, and guilt in the well-being of women who have experienced sexual coercion. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 18(4): 201–219.

Haracopos D, Pedersen L (1992) Sexuality and autism: A nationwide survey in Denmark. Available at: http://www.autismuk.com.

Hellemans H, Colson K, Verbraeken C, Vermeiren R, Deboutte D (2007) Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 37(2): 260–269.

Hénault I (2005) Sexual relationships. In: Welkowitz LA (ed) Asperger’s syndrome: Intervening in schools, clinics, and communities. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 243–255.

Hénault I, Attwood T (2005) The sexual profile of adults with Asperger’s syndrome: The need for understanding, support, and sex education. In: Henault I (2005), Asperger’s syndrome and sexuality: From adolescence through adulthood. London: Jessica Kingsley, 183–192.

Hoon EF, Hoon PW, Wincze JP (1976) An inventory for the measurement of female sexual arousability: The SAI. Archives of Sexual Behavior 5: 291–300.

Howlin P, Mawhood L, Rutter M (2000) Autism and developmental receptive language disorder—A follow-up comparison in early adult life. II: Social, behavioural, and psychiatric outcomes. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 41(5): 561–578.

Hurlbert DF (1991) The role of assertiveness in female sexuality: A comparative study between sexually assertive and sexually nonassertive women. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 17: 183–190.

Koller RA (2000) Sexuality and adolescents with autism. Sexuality and Disability 18(2): 125–135.

Konstantareas MM, Lunsky YJ (1997) Sociosexual knowledge, experience, attitudes, and interests of individuals with autistic disorder and developmental delay. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 27(4): 397–413.

Laumann EO, Gagnon JH, Michael RT, Michaels S (1994) The social organization of sexuality. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Lawrance K, Byers ES (1995) Sexual satisfaction in long-term heterosexual relationship: The interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction. Personal Relationships 2: 267–285

Lawrance K, Byers ES, Cohen JN (2011) Interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction questionnaire. Fisher TD, Davis CM, Yarber WL and Davis SL (eds) Handbook of sexuality-related measures (3rd edn). New York: Routledge, 525–530.

Lemieux SR, Byers ES (2008) The sexual well-being of women who have experienced child sexual abuse. Psychology of Women Quarterly 32: 126–144.

Lunsky Y, Konstantareas MM (1998) The attitudes of individuals with autism and mental retardation towards sexuality. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities 33(1): 24–33.

MacNeil S, Byers ES (1997) The relationships between sexual problems, communication, and sexual satisfaction. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 6: 277–283.

MacNeil S, Byers ES (2005) Dyadic assessment of sexual self-disclosure and sexual satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 22: 169–181.

Morokoff P, Redding C, Harlow L, Cho S, Rossi J, Meier K, et al. (2009) Associations of sexual victimization, depression, and sexual assertiveness with unprotected sex: A test of the multifaceted model of HIV risk across gender. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research 14(1): 30–54.

Nichols S, Blakeley-Smith A (2010) “I’m not sure we’re ready for this”: Working with families toward facilitating healthy sexuality for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Social Work in Mental Health 8(1): 72–91.

Nicolosi A, Laumann E, Glasser D, Moreira E, Paik A, Gingell C (2004) Sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions after age 40: The global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors. Urology 64(5): 991–997.

Orsmond GI, Krauss MW, Seltzer MM (2004) Peer relationships and social and recreational activities among adolescents and adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 34(3): 245–256.

Ousley OY, Mesibov GB (1991) Sexual attitudes and knowledge of high-functioning adolescents and adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 21(4): 471–481.

Petersen JL, Hyde JS (2010) A meta-analytic review of research on gender differences in sexuality, 1993–2007. Psychological Bulletin 136(1): 21–38.

Realmuto GM, Ruble LA (1999) Sexual behaviors in autism: Problems of definition and management. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 29(2): 121–127.

Renaud CA, Byers ES (1999) Exploring the frequency, diversity and content of university students’ positive and negative sexual cognitions. Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 8(1): 17–30.

Renaud CA, Byers ES (2001) Positive and negative sexual cognitions: Subjective experience and relationships to sexual adjustment. Journal of Sex Research 38(3): 252–262.

Renaud CA, Byers ES (2011) Sexual cognitions checklist. In: Fisher TD, Davis CM, Yarber WL, Davis SL (eds) Handbook of sexuality-related measures (3rd edn). New York: Routledge, 110–114.

Renty J, Roeyers H (2007) Individual and marital adaptation in men with autism spectrum disorder and their spouses: The role of social support and coping strategies. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 37(7): 1247–1255.

Ruble LA, Dalrymple NJ (1993) Social/sexual awareness of persons with autism: A parental perspective. Archives of Sexual Behavior 22(3): 229–240.

Salisbury KM (2003) Predictors of relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and sexual frequency in female couples (Doctoral dissertation, University of Massachusetts, 2003). Dissertation Abstracts International 64: 5231.

Sanchez D, Kiefer A (2007) Body concerns in and out of the bedroom: Implications for sexual pleasure and problems. Archives of Sexual Behavior 36(6): 808–820.

Santor DA, Poulin C, LeBlanc JC, Kusumakar V (2007) Online health promotion, early identification of difficulties, and help seeking in young people. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 46(1): 50–59.

Sax LJ, Gilmartin SK, Bryant AN (2003) Assessing response rates and nonresponse bias in web and paper surveys. Research in Higher Education 44(4): 409–432.

SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) (2004) Guidelines for comprehensive sexuality education: Kindergarten through 12th grade. Available at: http://www.siecus.org/pubs/guidelines/guidelines.pdf.

SIECUS (Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States) (2010) Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States position statement: Sexuality of persons with disabilities. Available at: http://www.siecus.org.

Shakespeare T (1996) Power and prejudice: Issues of gender, sexuality, and disability. In: Barton L (ed) Disability and society: Emerging issues and insights. London: Longman, 191–214.

Snell WE, Papini DR (1989) The sexuality scale: An instrument to measure sexual-esteem, sexual-depression, and sexual-preoccupation. Journal of Sex Research 26(2): 256–263.

Spector IP, Carey MP, Steinberg L (1998) Sexual Desire Inventory. In: Davis C, Yarber WL, Bauserman R, Schreer G, Davis S (eds) Handbook of sexuality-related measures. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 174–176.

Stokes MA, Kaur A (2005) High-functioning autism and sexuality: A parental perspective. Autism 9(3): 266–289.

Stokes M, Newton N, Kaur A (2007) Stalking, and social and romantic functioning among adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 37(10): 1969–1986.

Strassberg DS, Lowe K (1995) Volunteer bias in sexuality research. Archives of Sexual Behavior 24: 369–382.

Tarnai B, Wolfe PS (2008) Social stories for sexuality education for persons with autism/pervasive developmental disorder. Sexuality and Disability 26(1): 29–36.

Van Bourgondien ME, Reichle NC, Palmer A (1997) Sexual behavior in adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 27(2): 113–125.

Weiser EB (2000) Gender differences in Internet use patterns and Internet application preferences: A two-sample comparison. CyberPsychology and Behavior 3(2): 167–178.

Wiederman MW, Weis DL, Allgeier ER (1994) The effect of question preface on response rates to a telephone survey of sexual experience. Archives of Sexual Behaviour 23: 203–215.

Woodbury-Smith MR, Clare ICH, Holland AJ, Kearns A (2006) High-functioning autistic spectrum disorders, offending and other law-breaking: Findings from a community sample. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology 17(1): 108–120.

Woodbury-Smith M, Robinson J, Wheelwright S, Baron-Cohen S (2005) Screening adults for Asperger syndrome using the AQ: A preliminary study of its diagnostic validity in clinical practice. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 35(3): 331–335.

World Health Organization (2006) Defining sexual health: Report of a technical consultation on sexual health, 28–31 January 2002,Geneva. Available at: http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/sexual_health/defining_sexual_health.pdf.

View full text|Download PDF

You currently have no access to this content. Visit the access options page to authenticate.