Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome
Abstract Background Triple X syndrome (TXS, 47,XXX) is a sex chromosome aneuploidy affecting females. The condition is associated with cognitive, emotional, and social challenges. While prior research has primarily focused on children, the social and psychological profile of adult women with TXS rem...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-025-09631-7 |
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| author | Marie-Anne Croyé Petra Freilinger Hendrik Jürgenlimke Gregor Domes Jobst Meyer |
| author_facet | Marie-Anne Croyé Petra Freilinger Hendrik Jürgenlimke Gregor Domes Jobst Meyer |
| author_sort | Marie-Anne Croyé |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Triple X syndrome (TXS, 47,XXX) is a sex chromosome aneuploidy affecting females. The condition is associated with cognitive, emotional, and social challenges. While prior research has primarily focused on children, the social and psychological profile of adult women with TXS remains understudied. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of these aspects in adult women with TXS compared to matched controls. Methods A cohort of 44 women with TXS (mean age 30.5 years) was compared to 50 age- and education-matched controls (mean age 29.7 years). Standardized assessments measured verbal IQ, psychological distress, chronic stress, emotion regulation, coping mechanisms, social anxiety, empathy, autistic traits, and personality traits. Group comparisons were conducted using ANOVAs and MANOVAs, with additional χ² tests for categorical variables. Results Depression and trait anxiety did not significantly differ between groups, though both groups exhibited notably high scores. However, a greater number of individuals in the TXS group reported elevated social anxiety and autistic traits, and reduced empathy. Moreover, there were indications of increased self-reported social tensions, personal distress, and somatization within the TXS group. No significant differences were found in personality traits, verbal IQ, chronic stress levels, and emotion regulation. Additionally, TXS participants tended to rely less on the maladaptive coping strategy of alcohol and cigarette consumption. Conclusion Our findings underscore autistic traits, social anxiety, and reduced empathy as significant challenges for adult women with TXS. While cognitive and emotional characteristics were largely comparable to those of age- and education-matched controls, the heightened social difficulties suggest a potential benefit of targeted interventions, such as social skills training, to support affected individuals. Longitudinal studies are essential to understand the long-term progression of these challenges and to develop effective therapeutic strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6f8dec280bc74abbb00e4225e7d2cfe4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1866-1955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-6f8dec280bc74abbb00e4225e7d2cfe42025-08-20T04:01:47ZengBMCJournal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders1866-19552025-07-0117111410.1186/s11689-025-09631-7Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndromeMarie-Anne Croyé0Petra Freilinger1Hendrik Jürgenlimke2Gregor Domes3Jobst Meyer4Department of Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of TrierGenetikumDepartment of Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of TrierDepartment of Biological and Clinical Psychology, University of TrierDepartment of Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of TrierAbstract Background Triple X syndrome (TXS, 47,XXX) is a sex chromosome aneuploidy affecting females. The condition is associated with cognitive, emotional, and social challenges. While prior research has primarily focused on children, the social and psychological profile of adult women with TXS remains understudied. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of these aspects in adult women with TXS compared to matched controls. Methods A cohort of 44 women with TXS (mean age 30.5 years) was compared to 50 age- and education-matched controls (mean age 29.7 years). Standardized assessments measured verbal IQ, psychological distress, chronic stress, emotion regulation, coping mechanisms, social anxiety, empathy, autistic traits, and personality traits. Group comparisons were conducted using ANOVAs and MANOVAs, with additional χ² tests for categorical variables. Results Depression and trait anxiety did not significantly differ between groups, though both groups exhibited notably high scores. However, a greater number of individuals in the TXS group reported elevated social anxiety and autistic traits, and reduced empathy. Moreover, there were indications of increased self-reported social tensions, personal distress, and somatization within the TXS group. No significant differences were found in personality traits, verbal IQ, chronic stress levels, and emotion regulation. Additionally, TXS participants tended to rely less on the maladaptive coping strategy of alcohol and cigarette consumption. Conclusion Our findings underscore autistic traits, social anxiety, and reduced empathy as significant challenges for adult women with TXS. While cognitive and emotional characteristics were largely comparable to those of age- and education-matched controls, the heightened social difficulties suggest a potential benefit of targeted interventions, such as social skills training, to support affected individuals. Longitudinal studies are essential to understand the long-term progression of these challenges and to develop effective therapeutic strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-025-09631-747,XXXTriple X syndromeTrisomy XSex chromosome aneuploidySocial functioningAutistic traits |
| spellingShingle | Marie-Anne Croyé Petra Freilinger Hendrik Jürgenlimke Gregor Domes Jobst Meyer Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 47,XXX Triple X syndrome Trisomy X Sex chromosome aneuploidy Social functioning Autistic traits |
| title | Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome |
| title_full | Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome |
| title_short | Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome |
| title_sort | elevated autistic traits and social anxiety and reduced empathy in adult women with triple x syndrome |
| topic | 47,XXX Triple X syndrome Trisomy X Sex chromosome aneuploidy Social functioning Autistic traits |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-025-09631-7 |
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