| Abstract [eng] |
Eismantaitė, J. (2025). Experiencing relationships as a couple: me, my partner and Asperger’s syndrome. Master’s thesis. Vilnius: Vilnius University, p. 77. In recent decades, the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), including Asperger’s syndrome, has been rapidly increasing worldwide. In the Lithuanian context, research most commonly focuses on autistic children, while the experiences of adults with Asperger’s syndrome, particularly in the context of romantic relationships, remain underexplored. The aim of this study is to uncover the mutual experiences of couples in which one partner has Asperger’s syndrome. The study involved 4 individuals with Asperger’s syndrome and their 4 partners (5 women and 3 men), with an average age of 34 years. A qualitative research strategy was employed, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The results revealed diverse relationship experiences in couples where one partner has Asperger’s syndrome. Four main themes emerged: “A Look at Myself,” “My Partner Through My Eyes,” “Establishing a Relationship” and “Experiencing Partnership”. The findings of this study can contribute to a better understanding of the experiences of individuals with Asperger’s syndrome and their partners. Additionally, the study’s insights may be valuable for individuals with this condition, those in relationships with someone who has Asperger’s syndrome, as well as professionals working in the field of autism spectrum disorders. |
