Validation of a questionnaire for camouflaging autistic traits
Official title: Psychometric Validation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q/DE) in a German Population of Autistic and Non-autistic Adolescents.
Run by Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf · NCT05989685 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 622 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hamburg) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 20, 2023 |
| Main results expected | August 2025 |
| Study ends | September 2025 |
| Registry record updated | March 12, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT05989685 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 13 to 21 years who have a principal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with dementia, below-average cognitive abilities, or severe visual or hearing impairments may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: While the CAT-Q has been validated in English-speaking populations, this study represents a novel effort to validate it in German-speaking individuals.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.