Life Satisfaction of Neurotypical Women in Intimate Relationship With a Partner Who Has Asperger’s Syndrome: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Asperger’s syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by an average or above average IQ, impairments in social interactions, communication and empathy, restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and sensory sensitivities. Numerous published empirical studies focus on individuals with AS within a number of contexts (e.g., education, health, workplace) and the impact the core characteristics of AS have upon the individual with AS within these contexts. Although there is general consensus among researchers, clinicians and other persons with interest in this field of study that adults with AS do enter into successful careers, marry and have children, there is a paucity of empirical data on the impact that AS characteristics may have upon a non-Asperger’s or neurotypical (NT) spouse or intimate partner. Stage 1 of this study conducted a systematic review of the published peer-reviewed literature and found that there were no empirical data focused on the impact of AS characteristics upon an NT partner within the context of an intimate relationship. Stage 2 of this project was an exploratory study focused on the subjective wellbeing (SWB/life satisfaction) of NT women within this context, with a secondary focus on empathy characteristics. An online survey collected quantitative data on SWB and empathy using the Personal Wellbeing Index – Adult (PWI-A) and the Cambridge Behaviour Scale (EQ). An open-ended question was used to collect qualitative data. Relevant demographic data was also sourced. Survey data from 500 NT women and 53 controls comprised the final data set. The study found that NT women experienced a statistically significant lower SWB than controls and the PWI-A normative sample for Australian women; and NT women had a statistically significantly higher EQ than the controls and the normative sample. Implications of these findings, limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are discussed.