4 - (IOP18) Exploring the Intersection of Autistic Traits, Sexual Minority Status, and Social Anxiety in Autistic and Non-autistic Young Adults

Elevated social anxiety (SA) has been linked to an autism diagnosis (Lai et al., 2019) as well as higher autistic traits (Spain et al., 2018), with up to 50% of autistic people experience SA (Lai et al., 2019). Autistic people are also more likely to identify as LGBQ (George & Stokes, 2018), which is associated with increased anxiety in autistic adults (McQuaid et al., 2023). Minority stress theory indicates that the unique stressors faced by LGBQ and autistic people, such as discrimination and stigma, may exacerbate mental health disparities (Meyer, 2003). However, little research has examined how autistic traits and LBGQ status may intersect to impact symptoms of SA. Thus, this study investigates the effect of autistic traits and LGBQ status on SA among young adults.

One hundred fifty-one young adults, ages 18-30 (M=20.32; SD=2.38), including 27 diagnosed as autistic, completed self-report questionnaires. Of these, 97 identified as female and 39 as LGBQ. Participants reported their LGBQ status and completed the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ; Baron-Cohen et al., 2001) and the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms – Expanded Version (IDAS-II; Watson et al., 2012), from which SA was measured. Data were analyzed via linear regression predicting SA from autistic traits, LGBQ status (LGBQ vs. heterosexual), and their interaction.

Autistic people (44%) were more likely to identify as LGBQ than non-autistic people (22%), χ²(1)=4.94, p=.026. Autistic traits (M=4.30; SD=2.27) were associated with SA, with autistic traits predicting higher SA (M=58.75; SD=12.65; β=1.95, p<.001). LGBQ status was also a significant predictor, with LGBQ individuals reporting higher SA than heterosexual individuals (β=13.96, p=.007). There was a significant interaction between autistic traits and LGBQ, indicating that the relationship between autistic traits and SA was weaker for LGBQ individuals compared to heterosexual individuals (β=-2.12, p=.029). Simple slopes indicated that higher autistic traits were associated with increased SA among heterosexual individuals but not LGBQ individuals.

Autistic people were more likely to identify as LGBQ compared to non-autistic people, aligning with previous research (George & Stokes, 2018). Autistic traits and LGBQ status were associated with increased SA. Higher autistic traits were associated with greater SA in heterosexual individuals, but not in LGBQ individuals. It is possible that given the relatively high prevalence of LGBQ identities among autistic people, the ability to openly identify may provide a greater sense of identity congruence—where sexual identity aligns with one’s internal sense of self—attenuating the association between autistic traits and SA. Cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) suggests that conflicting identities cause distress, while congruence supports well-being (Schick et al., 2012). Identity congruence in gender-diverse autistic people has been linked to improved mental health, suggesting that a similar protective effect may also apply to sexual minorities (Coleman-Smith et al., 2020). These findings highlight the need for interventions to consider both neurodivergence and LGBQ status in providing tailored support for people with intersecting identities.