Hot spots and frontiers in autistic traits in the general population from 2008 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

Autistic traits are increasingly conceptualized as continuously distributed characteristics present across the general population rather than being confined to clinically diagnosed autism spectrum disorder. Over the past 2 decades, research on autistic traits has expanded rapidly, yet a comprehensive overview of its knowledge structure, developmental trajectory, and emerging frontiers remains lacking. This study aims to systematically map the research landscape on autistic traits in the general population and to identify key themes, evolutionary patterns, and research frontiers.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2008 to 2023. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were employed to analyze co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and burst terms. Standard parameter settings were applied to ensure analytical robustness, and exploratory adjustments confirmed the stability of the overall network structure. Thematic clusters and temporal evolution were examined to reveal the conceptual organization and dynamic development of the field.

The results indicate a steady growth in publications on autistic traits in the general population since 2008. Four major thematic domains were identified: measurement of autistic traits and individual differences, autistic traits and comorbidity, biological and genetic mechanisms, and cognitive and behavioral characteristics. Burst term analysis revealed a shift in recent years toward outcome-oriented and socially relevant topics, with sex differences and quality of life emerging as prominent research frontiers. These trends reflect increasing attention to sex-sensitive measurement, psychosocial functioning, and lived experience beyond categorical diagnosis.

This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive overview of the intellectual structure and evolving frontiers of research on autistic traits in the general population. The findings highlight a conceptual transition from trait measurement and mechanistic exploration toward functional outcomes, well-being, and sex-sensitive perspectives. These insights may inform future research directions, measurement refinement, and the development of more inclusive frameworks for understanding autistic traits across diverse populations.