Relationship Satisfaction Among Autistic Populations: How Partner Neurotype Influences Relationship Satisfaction Factors for Autistic Adults.

The study did not test an intervention, so it cannot show that any factor causes higher relationship satisfaction. Participants were recruited through social media and online forums, and most were currently in a relationship, so the sample may not represent autistic adults with less relationship experience or lower satisfaction. Partner neurotypes were reported by participants and not verified, and partners did not complete the survey. The study did not collect co-occurring diagnoses, which may have influenced responses. Men were a small part of the sample, so results may apply more to women and non-binary participants. Self-diagnosed autistic adults were included, although all participants scored above the autism range on the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition. The Relational Communication Satisfaction Scale was developed for this study and used only alongside other measures. One Relationship Assessment Scale item was significant in the full sample but not when only current relationships were analyzed, so it should not be treated as the main finding.

The authors declared no conflict of interest. Funding came from UC Santa Barbara's Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Grant FR-2023-665.

Do not conclude that autistic partners cause higher relationship satisfaction. Overall satisfaction did not differ by partner neurotype, and the one item that did differ was not significant when the analysis was limited to current relationships.