Love in Lockdown: Romantic Relationships During COVID-19 for Adults With and Without Autism

Although COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency, the pandemic has brought about significant social changes, including shifts in how people perceive online dating. This study explores the dating experiences of adults, both with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD), during the pandemic. Survey results about dating during the pandemic from 94 adults with ASD and 66 neurotypical individuals were compared. The findings reveal that individuals with ASD experienced heightened anxiety dating during the pandemic compared to their neurotypical peers. Although not statistically significant, there were also indications that individuals with ASD have different dating experiences than neurotypical participants. This research offers valuable insights into the unique dating challenges during the pandemic, suggests implications for counselors supporting clients in navigating current dating encounters, and highlights the need for further research on the topic.