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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Gareth RichardsORCiD, Emily Jackson
This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by Springer New York LLC, 2021.
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We aimed to test the hypothesis that traits associated with autism spectrum conditions are subject to assortative mating. Study 1 examined self-reported autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), systemizing (Systemizing Quotient-Revised [SQ-R]), and empathizing (Empathy Quotient [EQ]), as well as behavioral measures related to socio-perceptual Theory of Mind (Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test [RMET]) and systemizing (Embedded Figures Task [EFT]). Variable-centered analyses revealed couple-similarity correlations for AQ (r[102]=0.305, p=0.002), SQ-R (r[101]=0.263,p=0.007), RMET (r[53]=0.438, p<0.001) and EFT (r[56]=0.423, p<0.001), but not EQ (r[100]=-0.018, p=0.860). Further analysis suggested people pair with others more similar than chance (initial assortment) rather than become alike during a relationship (convergence), and that they seek out similar partners (active assortment) rather than pair with similar people due to social stratification (social homogamy). We next used couple-centered analyses to compare similarity scores between actual couples and the average of all other possible male-female pairings within the dataset. Actual couples were more similar for AQ (d=0.250 p=0.002), SQ-R (d=0.211, p=0.007), RMET (d=0.393, p=0.007) and EFT (d=0.365, p=0.006), but not EQ (d=-0.002, p=0.980). In Study 2, we replicated the variable-centered (r[94]=0.284, p=0.005) and couple-centered results (d=0.253, p=0.032) for socio-perceptual Theory of Mind (RMET). However, there was no evidence for assortment for socio-cognitive Theory of Mind when using the Stiller-Dunbar Stories Task (variable-centered: r[98]=0.048, p=0.635; couple-centered, d=0.012, p=0.917). Random-effects meta-analysis (k=16, n=5,892) confirmed a significant couple-similarity correlation for autistic traits, r=0.186, p<0.0001. These findings support the assortative mating theory of autism and should be considered when estimating heritability.
Author(s): Richards G, Baron-Cohen S, Warrier V, Luo S, Dunbar R, Jackson E, Proctor H, Stokes H, Lee E, Mellor B, Davies J, Gee L, Galvin J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Behavior Genetics
Year: 2021
Volume: 51
Pages: 687-762
Print publication date: 01/11/2021
Online publication date: 15/10/2021
Acceptance date: 09/06/2021
Date deposited: 03/07/2021
ISSN (print): 0001-8244
ISSN (electronic): 1573-3297
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-021-10087-3
DOI: 10.1007/s10519-021-10087-3
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