The broader autism phenotype and friendships in non-clinical dyads.

Matson et al. (2013) asked typical college students to fill out the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire. Each student also rated the quality of one close friendship. The team then looked at whether higher autism-like trait scores predicted worse friendship ratings.

The sample was small, but the design was simple: survey the students and run correlations.

Students who scored high on BAP traits said their friendships had more conflict and less closeness. They also felt lonelier. The link held even though no one in the study had an autism diagnosis.

In plain words, subtle autism-like quirks in typical young adults already chip away at friendship quality.

Chezan et al. (2019) extend the same idea to siblings. They found that college students give more help to sisters who show high BAP traits. Friendship suffers, yet family support rises—same traits, different relationship.

Muller et al. (2022) move the lens to parents. They show that moms and dads high in BAP over-rate autism symptoms in their kids. Again, BAP colors social perception, this time in the clinic.

Howlin et al. (2015) track adult siblings for years. Those who met BAP criteria had weaker jobs and social lives. The college friendship dip you see here looks like the first sign of a longer-term pattern.

If you work with college students, screen for BAP traits when friendship problems come up. The tool is free and takes five minutes. Use the results to teach social problem-solving or match roommates with care. A little self-awareness now may prevent bigger isolation later.