Are autistic traits prospectively associated with various types of eating disorder psychopathology? A longitudinal study in Chinese adults

Objective: This study aimed to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between autistic traits and three types of eating disorder (ED) psychopathology in a sample of non-clinical Chinese adults. Method: Using a two-wave, six-month longitudinal design, data were collected from 256 men (M_age=32.23 years at baseline) and 245 women (M_age=29.81 years at baseline) via online self-reported questionnaires. Autistic traits were measured at baseline (T1), and three types of ED psychopathology were measured at both T1 and six months later (T2). Data analyses were conducted for men and women separately. Pearson correlation analyses were used to examine bivariate correlations among the variables. Multivariable linear models were conducted to examine the prospective associations of autistic traits at T1 with three types of ED psychopathology at T2, after adjusting for demographic covariates and the respective ED psychopathology at T1. Results: Autistic traits at T1 showed significant and positive concurrent associations with all types of ED psychopathology at T1 for both men (r = .35–.38, p < .001) and women (r = .27–.32, p < .001). However, longitudinal analyses showed that higher autistic traits at T1 were only significantly and prospectively related to greater ARFID symptoms at T2 in women, with a large cross-lagged effect. Conclusions: Prospective associations between autistic traits and ARFID symptoms in women suggest that autistic traits may serve as a potential risk factor, highlighting the importance of improved assessment and intervention strategies for nonclinical women.