Touch experiences across the spectrum: Autistic traits, social touch, and the mediating role of sensory sensitivity in a diverse community sample

Abstract

Purpose Social challenges and sensory features of autism converge in the domain of social touch, which is essential for human interaction and well-being. This study investigated the relationships between autistic traits, social touch experiences, and sensory sensitivity, while focusing on the subtle autism phenotype and including diverse populations that have been underrepresented in research. Methods An enriched community sample (N = 509) completed the M-ASD (measuring autistic traits), Tactile Biography (quantifying social touch experiences), and Glasgow Sensory Questionnaire (assessing sensory sensitivity). Zero-order and partial Spearman correlations were conducted, as well as bootstrapped parallel mediation analyses. Results Autistic traits were negatively related to the quantity and quality of social touch experiences across the lifespan, even when controlling for gender or clinically diagnosed autism. Mediation analyses revealed negative indirect associations in which tactile hyper- and hyposensitivity accounted for part of the relationships between autistic traits and both comfort with and fondness for social touch, whereas overall (composite across modalities) hyposensitivity demonstrated positive indirect associations. No significant mediation was found for overall hypersensitivity or adult touch experience. Conclusions Autistic traits within the subtle autism phenotype relate to altered social touch experiences, beyond variation explained by clinically diagnosed autism. Sensory hyper- and hyposensitivity, particularly in the tactile modality, play distinct roles in shaping these experiences. These findings underscore the importance of investigating sensory profiles to better understand social touch in autistic and non-autistic populations, and of recognizing sensory–social dynamics when supporting individuals across the spectrum.