BackgroundLoneliness is a pervasive concern in the Broader Autism Phenotype, yet research often treats autistic traits as homogeneous risk factor, obscuring potential adaptive pathways. The distinct roles of social-communicative difficulties versus cognitive traits (e.g., Attention to Detail) in shaping friendship remain underexplored, particularly in non-Western contexts.MethodA sample of 1,076 Chinese adults completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient, adapted friendship similarity items (interest