Validation of a questionnaire for camouflaging autistic traits
Psychometric Validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q/DE) in a German Population of Autistic and Non-autistic Adolescents.
This study is testing a new questionnaire to see how well it can measure the ways young people with autism try to fit in socially compared to those without any mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 622 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hamburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT05989685 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to psychometrically validate the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) in German-speaking individuals. The CAT-Q assesses the extent to which individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) use compensatory strategies, known as camouflaging, to adapt to social situations. The study will include adolescents aged 13 to 21 years, both with ASD and without any psychiatric disorders, to compare camouflaging behaviors. The goal is to provide a valid tool for assessing camouflaging in German-speaking populations, which is currently lacking.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 13 to 21 years who have a principal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Not a fit: Patients with dementia, below-average cognitive abilities, or severe visual or hearing impairments may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding and earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in individuals who camouflage their traits.
How similar studies have performed: While the CAT-Q has been validated in English-speaking populations, this study represents a novel effort to validate it in German-speaking individuals.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria study group: \- patients who meet the principal diagnosis of ASD, which includes atypical autism (ICD-10: F84.1) and Asperger syndrome (ICD-10: F84.5), and are between the ages of 13 and 21 years old. Exclusion Criteria study group: * Dementia / below average cognitive abilities (IQ \< 85) * lack of German language skills * severe visual or hearing impairment (uncorrected) Inclusion Criteria control group: \- Adolescents who do not have a lifetime principal diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder (ICD-10-GM-2016: F10 - F69) and are between 13 and 21 years old. Exclusion Criteria Control Group: * dementia / below average general cognitive ability (IQ \< 85) * lack of German language skills * severe impairment of vision or hearing (not corrected).
Where this trial is running
Hamburg
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf — Hamburg, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Johannes Boettcher, Dr. — Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Study coordinator: Johannes Boettcher, Dr.
- Email: j.boettcher@uke.de
- Phone: 040 7410-52202
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.