People with higher autistic traits tend to avoid positive relationship-maintenance tactics
A new study finds that people with higher autistic-like traits tend to avoid using affectionate behaviors to maintain their romantic relationships. The research suggests this distancing is primarily driven by insecure attachment styles.
A recent study published in Evolutionary Psychology suggests that people with higher levels of autistic-like traits in the general population tend to avoid positive, affectionate behaviors when trying to maintain romantic relationships. Led by Andrzej Łukasik, a researcher from Poland, the study aimed to explore how these subtle personality traits influence relationship dynamics from an evolutionary perspective.
Autistic-like traits (ALTs) refer to social functioning, communication difficulties, and rigid thinking patterns that can occur in the general population, rather than being considered a disorder. Researchers examined how ALTs impact mate retention tactics, which are behaviors used to keep a partner and prevent them from leaving. These tactics are divided into benefit-provisioning (affection, compliments, support) and cost-inflicting (inducing jealousy, controlling behavior, threats).
The study found that individuals with higher autistic-like traits reported higher levels of both anxious and avoidant attachment styles. Anxious attachment is characterized by a strong need for closeness, while avoidant attachment involves discomfort with emotional closeness and a preference for independence. The researchers proposed that attachment styles mediate the relationship between ALTs and mate retention tactics.
The findings indicated that people with higher autistic-like traits were less likely to engage in benefit-provisioning tactics, such as showing affection or giving gifts. However, the initial models suggested a negative link between autistic-like traits and cost-inflicting tactics. After controlling for age, a positive correlation emerged, suggesting that individuals with higher autistic-like traits might use cost-inflicting tactics slightly more often, although age acted as a masking factor for this relationship.
Ultimately, the study found that attachment styles, rather than autistic-like traits, played a more significant role in shaping relationship dynamics and mate retention strategies.
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