Elevated autistic traits and social anxiety, and reduced empathy in adult women with triple X syndrome

TL;DR

Adult women with Triple X syndrome show higher autistic traits and social anxiety, and lower empathy compared to controls, suggesting a need for targeted support.

Contribution

This study is the first to comprehensively assess social and psychological traits in adult women with Triple X syndrome.

Findings

Adult women with Triple X syndrome show elevated autistic traits and social anxiety.

They also exhibit reduced empathy compared to matched controls.

No significant differences were found in verbal IQ or chronic stress levels.

Abstract

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.

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.

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.

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.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-025-09631-7.

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