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</script>pmid: 35467170
pmc: PMC9192400
AbstractPrevious research indicates a link between autism and transgender and gender-diverse identities, though the association is not yet fully understood. The current study examined autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient [AQ]), empathizing (Empathizing Quotient-Short [EQ-S]), and systemizing (Systemizing Quotient-Short [SQ-S]) in a sample of 89 adults and aimed to test whether gender-diverse individuals exhibit cognitive profiles consistent with predictions derived from the Extreme Male Brain (EMB) theory. As most research has considered only cisgender people, we recruited a more diverse sample by contacting > 200 UK LGBTQ+ organizations and posting on social media. A range of non-cisgender identities (e.g., transgender male, transgender female, non-binary, genderqueer, transmasculine) and non-heterosexual orientations (e.g., bisexual) were represented, and participants were categorized into one of four groups: (1) assigned female at birth but does not identify as female (transgender AFAB) (n = 32), (2) cisgender female (n = 21), (3) assigned male at birth but does not identify as male (transgender AMAB) (n = 18), and (4) cisgender male (n = 18). After controlling for age and autism diagnostic status, transgender AFAB participants had marginally higher AQ scores, and significantly higher SQ-S and systemizing-relative-to-empathizing (D) scores, compared with the cisgender female group. No such differences were detected between the transgender AMAB and cisgender male groups. Our findings are broadly in line with predictions derived from the EMB theory, though as no transgender AFAB participants reported being heterosexual, it was not possible to determine whether these effects relate specifically to gender identity, to sexual orientation, or to both.
Adult, Male, Autism, PsyArXiv|Social and Behavioral Sciences|Developmental Psychology, Transgender Persons, Young Adult, Humans, bepress|Social and Behavioral Sciences|Psychology|Child Psychology, Autistic Disorder, Gender diversity, Original Paper, Brain, Gender Identity, Middle Aged, Empathizing–systemizing, Extreme male brain theory, PsyArXiv|Social and Behavioral Sciences, bepress|Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transgender, Female, Empathy
Adult, Male, Autism, PsyArXiv|Social and Behavioral Sciences|Developmental Psychology, Transgender Persons, Young Adult, Humans, bepress|Social and Behavioral Sciences|Psychology|Child Psychology, Autistic Disorder, Gender diversity, Original Paper, Brain, Gender Identity, Middle Aged, Empathizing–systemizing, Extreme male brain theory, PsyArXiv|Social and Behavioral Sciences, bepress|Social and Behavioral Sciences, Transgender, Female, Empathy
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 16 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
