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. 2010 Apr;40(4):470-8.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0888-z.

Mediators of the link between autistic traits and relationship satisfaction in a non-clinical sample

Monique M H Pollmann  1 , Catrin Finkenauer, Sander Begeer
Affiliations

Mediators of the link between autistic traits and relationship satisfaction in a non-clinical sample

Monique M H Pollmann et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2010 Apr.

Abstract

People with ASD have deficits in their social skills and may therefore experience lower relationship satisfaction. This study investigated possible mechanisms to explain whether and how autistic traits, measured with the AQ, influence relationship satisfaction in a non-clinical sample of 195 married couples. More autistic traits were associated with lower relationship satisfaction for husbands but not for wives. Multiple mediation analyses revealed that husbands' responsiveness towards their wives, trust, and intimacy mediated this link between autistic traits and relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that autistic traits may hamper men's relationship satisfaction because they impede relationship-specific feelings and behavior. There was no partner-effect of autistic traits, indicating that more autistic traits do not necessarily influence the partner's perceptions of relationship satisfaction.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Multiple mediation analysis of AQ and relationship satisfaction for husbands. The top diagram displays the total effect of the AQ on relationship satisfaction. The bottom diagram displays the direct effect of the AQ and the indirect effect through all the mediators. * p < .05; ** p < .01
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