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Finding Love on the Spectrum: An Analysis of Social and Romantic Relationships of Autistic College Students
No full textAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by difficulties in socialization, communication, and developing relationships with others. While many autistic individuals desire to start relationships with others, many do not have a very strong understanding of the use of nonverbal communication or how to develop these connections organically. As autistic individuals have become more open about wanting these resources to form social and romantic relationships, there has been more of a push in the literature to include social skills training for forming social relationships. However, the research on the desire for or development of romantic relationships for autistic individuals is still somewhat limited in comparison. The few studies that have been conducted have placed an emphasis on the romantic relationship experiences of autistic women but have focused on their failures rather than their successes. In addition, these studies have been excluding the experiences of autistic men, further supporting the notion that autistic men are not interested in romantic relationships. The lack of research focus in this area continues to support the notion that autistic adults do not have any romantic interest, which continues to limit the number of appropriate resources. Without having any form of guidebook or learned knowledge about romantic relationships, it makes it more challenging for autistic adults to find successful relationships, which may lead to higher rates of distress or loneliness over time. The current study aimed to identify the shared experiences and common themes found in the romantic and social relationships of autistic college students using deductive and inductive coding of qualitative interviews. Results indicated that being on the autism spectrum caused difficulties when pursuing both social and romantic relationships, particularly with communication. Those who were not in romantic relationships shared that they generally desired romantic relationships but had challenges with the pursuit of these connections, especially with communication. Participants in romantic relationships identified that their partners were either autistic and/or that they were able to understand the communication challenges that their partner may experience due to their diagnosis. This study highlighted the diverse experiences within the gender, racial, and sexual identities of autistic college students, which have not been included in previous studies. These findings support the growing idea that autistic adults are interested in romantic relationships, but that they face additional challenges due to their diagnosis
Barriers to Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among College Students
No full textObesity is an increasing problem worldwide. In general, people eat more and exercise less, with a lot of individuals not meeting World Health Organization recommendation of 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity weekly. At times, individuals may face barriers which prevent or inhibit their ability to participate in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), exercise completed in one’s free time. These barriers are known as leisure constraints and are comprised of three categories: intrapersonal, feelings and psychological aspects; interpersonal, relationship aspects; and structural, physical aspects. Body image, the perception individuals have about their bodies and how they believe they should look, could be a constraint to LTPA participation. This study aimed to identify whether college-aged students experience constraints to LTPA, and whether body image acts as an intrapersonal constraint to LTPA, and Recreation Center use specifically. The study collected quantitative data using a survey. Students at Eastern Illinois University were recruited by the lead researcher in high-traffic areas of campus. The survey contained five sections: demographics, LTPA participation habits, leisure preferences, leisure constraints, and beliefs about appearance. The participants remained anonymous, and the responses kept confidential. Data was analyzed using principal components analysis and comparison of means. Participants were split into three groups based on Recreation Center usage: high, medium, and low. The high usage group exhibited the highest preference for LTPA, and the low usage group exhibited the highest level of constraint to LTPA. All groups exhibited similar beliefs about appearance
Battle Brush Studios Image 1
No full texthttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/eiu_comic_fest_2025/1032/thumbnail.jp
Riley Eubanks of Cosmic Games
No full texthttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/eiu_comic_fest_2025/1036/thumbnail.jp
Student Challenge Smash Bros Tournament
No full textHosted by Austin Perez Ackerman of the EIU E-Sport Registered Student Organization (open to students ages 11 to college....click View More for information and location/time)https://thekeep.eiu.edu/eiu_comic_fest_speakers_sessions/1004/thumbnail.jp
What Makes a Great Villain?
No full texthttps://thekeep.eiu.edu/eiu_comic_fest_2025/1060/thumbnail.jp
