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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Gepubliceerd in:

27-08-2016 | Original Paper

Sexuality in High-Functioning Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Auteurs: Laura A. Pecora, Gary B. Mesibov, Mark A. Stokes

Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders | Uitgave 11/2016

Abstract

Preliminary research examining sexuality within High-Functioning Autism (HFA) has been yet to consider the impact sex may have on the sexual/romantic functioning of this population. A systematic database search was carried out to identify 27 observational and cross-sectional publications meeting predetermined inclusion criteria. Using standardised mean differences, a random-effects meta-analysis pooled data from 9 eligible studies. Exhibiting higher levels of sexual understanding, females with HFA were subject to more adverse sexual experiences than males with HFA and neurotypical counterparts. Males reported greater desire for, and engagement in both solitary and dyadic sexual contact. Findings have provided initial insight into characterising the sexuality of males and females with HFA, yet also necessitated the need for future research in the field.

vorige artikel Ratings of Broader Autism Phenotype and Personality Traits in Optimal Outcomes from Autism Spectrum Disorder

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(Note: Adopting definitions from the World Health Organisation (WHO 2016), all references to “sex” in this paper refer to the biological and physiological characteristics that define and differentiate males and females. “Gender” refers to the socially constructed norms, beliefs, and behaviours that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. As the studies included in this meta-analysis focus on adolescents and adults, the difficulty in separating out the effect of sex and gendered socialisation has seen that some articles refer to “sex”, “gender” (WHO 2016, para. 3), or use the concepts interchangeably. In order to acknowledge both this issue, and the purpose of this meta-analysis, which was to examine the impact of “sex” (as a biological construct) on sexuality in HFA; all references to “sex/gender” differences cited in included studies will be referred to as “sex” in this paper).

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Titel: Sexuality in High-Functioning Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Auteurs: Laura A. Pecora
Gary B. Mesibov
Mark A. Stokes
Publicatiedatum: 27-08-2016
Uitgeverij: Springer US
Gepubliceerd in: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders / Uitgave 11/2016
Print ISSN: 0162-3257
Elektronisch ISSN: 1573-3432
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2892-4

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