Autism and Attachment. An Explorative Study of Attachment Styles in Autistic Adults.

NCT06375226 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 2023.172023.0871
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The present study examines the relationship between attachment and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Attachtment; Adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• The Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult version (SRS-A)

  The SRS-A is a screening tool for identifying possible ASD characteristics in adults suspicious for ASD, is 64-item self-report questionnaire measuring various dimensions of interpersonal behavior, communication, and rigid, repetitive behaviour and interests, characteristic for adults with ASD. Each item is rated on a 1-4 point scale.

  15 minutes

• The Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ)

  The ASQ is a questionnaire consisting of 24 items and assesses four attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, fearful, and dismissing). The 5-point rating scale ranges from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

  15 minutes

• Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised questionnaire (ECR-r)

  The ECR-r measures adult attachment within romantic relationships in past and present in 36 items, consisting of two subscales of 18 items each (attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance). Each item is rated from 'strongly disagree' (1) to 'strongly agree' (7).

  15 minutes

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults (\>18 years) with ASD, and without intellectual disability. Participants will be recruited from SARR Autism Rotterdam and Antes, both part of Parnassia Group in the Netherlands. SARR Autism Rotterdam is specialized in psychodiagnostic assessments and interventions for children, adolescents, and adults with ASD. Antes and Parnassia Group are multisite mental health institutes specialized in psychodiagnostic assessments and interventions for adults with a broad range of psychiatric disorders, including ASD.

You may qualify if:

• a primary clinical diagnosis of DSM-5 ASD (APA, 2013)
• age 18 - 65 years
• no intellectual disability (IQ \> 80)

You may not qualify if:

• acute psychosis
• acute suicidality
• psychotic disorder
• intellectual disability (IQ \< 80)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Parnassia Groep: lead

Study Sites (1)

ParnassiaGroep Antes

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3083 AK, Netherlands

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Richard Vuijk, Dr.

  Parnassia Groep Antes

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Stephanie Bohnen, MSc

CONTACT

+31653386139; s.bohnen@anteszorg.nl

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2024
• First Posted: April 19, 2024
• Study Start: March 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2025
• Study Completion: January 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NL (1)