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An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.

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Title: An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.
Authors: Au Yeung, Tasha T. W. (AUTHOR), Hui, Marshall M. C. (AUTHOR), Kung, Karson T. F. (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders. Mar2026, Vol. 56 Issue 3, p1131-1149. 19p.
Subjects: Research funding, Qualitative research, Autism, Sex education, Human sexuality, Empirical research, Interviewing, Parent-child relationships, Affinity groups, Asperger's syndrome in adolescence, Psychosexual development, Experience, Sex customs, Reflexivity, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Asperger's syndrome, Phenomenology, Comparative studies, Interpersonal relations, Autism in adolescence, Self-perception
Abstract: The present study was designed to examine autistic and non-autistic young adults' lived experience in psychosexual development and sex education and to solicit recommendations on how to improve sex education programs. Participants included 10 autistic young adults and 10 non-autistic young adults aged 18 to 24 years. The two groups were matched for sex and education level. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants' responses were analyzed using comparative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) "Who am I as a sexual being"; (2) Making sense of psychosexual development; (3) Sources of information; and (4) "Dear developers of sex education programs". Most autistic participants shared feelings of intense anxiety about romantic and sexual relationships, in part due to anticipated difficulties in social communication. Interestingly, although interview questions mostly focused on sex and adolescence, issues surrounding romantic relationships and their links to current self-concept were prominent themes in many autistic participants' responses, suggesting that autism-friendly sex education programs need to address issues related to romance and should target not only adolescents but also young adults. Also, autistic participants learned from peer interactions within the autistic community, highlighting the importance of facilitating peer exchanges and continuous learning beyond completing a program. Regarding delivery format, autistic participants valued concreteness and a mixed-sex small-group setting, and recommended using visual cues, real life examples, and role play. Autistic individuals have unmet psychosexual educational needs. Further research may consider their needs, lived experience, and recommendations when developing new autism-friendly sex education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Autism+%26+Developmental+Disorders%22">Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 56 Issue 3, p1131-1149. 19p.
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– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The present study was designed to examine autistic and non-autistic young adults' lived experience in psychosexual development and sex education and to solicit recommendations on how to improve sex education programs. Participants included 10 autistic young adults and 10 non-autistic young adults aged 18 to 24 years. The two groups were matched for sex and education level. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants' responses were analyzed using comparative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) "Who am I as a sexual being"; (2) Making sense of psychosexual development; (3) Sources of information; and (4) "Dear developers of sex education programs". Most autistic participants shared feelings of intense anxiety about romantic and sexual relationships, in part due to anticipated difficulties in social communication. Interestingly, although interview questions mostly focused on sex and adolescence, issues surrounding romantic relationships and their links to current self-concept were prominent themes in many autistic participants' responses, suggesting that autism-friendly sex education programs need to address issues related to romance and should target not only adolescents but also young adults. Also, autistic participants learned from peer interactions within the autistic community, highlighting the importance of facilitating peer exchanges and continuous learning beyond completing a program. Regarding delivery format, autistic participants valued concreteness and a mixed-sex small-group setting, and recommended using visual cues, real life examples, and role play. Autistic individuals have unmet psychosexual educational needs. Further research may consider their needs, lived experience, and recommendations when developing new autism-friendly sex education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=191886362
RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1007/s10803-024-06622-w
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 1131
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Research funding
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Human sexuality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empirical research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Parent-child relationships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Affinity groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asperger's syndrome in adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychosexual development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex customs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reflexivity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Asperger's syndrome
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Phenomenology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Comparative studies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Autism in adolescence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self-perception
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.
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              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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