Internalized Symptoms in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Typically Developing Adolescents : Gaining Insight Into Coping Strategies and the Psychological Processes Involved

NCT07360223 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TSA coping
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 252
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Introduction: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have more mental health problems than typically developping adolescents (without ASD). Coping strategies are a key concern for adolescents with ASD in managing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Currently, few studies have examined the coping strategies used by adolescents with ASD. The methodological considerations underscore the need for an assessment method tailored to adolescents with ASD. Finally, although current data are still limited, the results suggest that there may be differences between the coping strategies used by adolescents with ASD and typically developing adolescents, thus calling for more in-depth comparative research. Objectives: This study aims to validate a coping strategies assessment method adapted for adolescents with ASD (1) and to examine coping strategies associated with internalizing symptoms (2) Population: 252 participants: 84 adolescents with ASD (1), 84 adolescents with autistic traits but no clinical diagnosis of ASD (2), and 84 typically developing adolescents (3). The age range is 12-17 years. Study design: The study is divided into two parts: a cross-sectional part (T) and a longitudinal part (L).

• The cross-sectional part will include three meetings spread over a period of approximately three months (approximately one meeting per month).
• The longitudinal part will consist of a meeting scheduled one year after the last meeting of the cross-sectional part.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Keywords

ASD coping

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Coping strategies

  Measure by questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaire : Coping Strategies Inventory (CSI) The questionnaire is designed to identify coping strategy profiles. It includes 8 sub-strategies (Problem solving, Cognitive restructuring, Express Emotions, Social Support, Problem avoidance, Wishful thinking, Self-Criticism, Social Withdrawal) and does not have strict minimum or maximum scores. Instead, it provides an overview of the relative use of each coping strategy

  Throughout the entire study, approximately during 5 years

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Anxious, depressive and somatic symptoms

  Throughout the entire study, approximately during 5 years

Study Arms (3)

Adolescents

Typically developing adolescents (without ASD)

Behavioral: Questionnaire and interview

Adolescents with autistic traits without a clinical diagnosis of ASD

Adolescents with autistic traits without a clinical diagnosis of ASD: T score between 66-75 on the SRS-2

Behavioral: Questionnaire and interview

Adolescents diagnosed with ASD

ASD diagnosis made by a specialist physician

Behavioral: Questionnaire and interview

Interventions

Questionnaire and interview BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete questionnaires and take part in a semi-structured interview

Adolescents; Adolescents diagnosed with ASD; Adolescents with autistic traits without a clinical diagnosis of ASD

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adolescents aged between 12 and 17 with or without ASD

You may qualify if:

• years
• speak french fluently

You may not qualify if:

• Intellectual disability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Université Catholique de Louvain: lead

Related Publications (2)

• Rieffe C, Oosterveld P, Terwogt MM, Mootz S, van Leeuwen E, Stockmann L. Emotion regulation and internalizing symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2011 Nov;15(6):655-70. doi: 10.1177/1362361310366571. Epub 2011 Jul 6.

  PMID: 21733959 RESULT

• Rieffe C, De Bruine M, De Rooij M, Stockmann L. Approach and avoidant emotion regulation prevent depressive symptoms in children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2014 Dec;39:37-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.06.003. Epub 2014 Jun 19.

  PMID: 24951836 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires; Interviews as Topic

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Officials

• Nathalie NNG Nader-Grosbois, Professor

  Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Héloïse HL Louvegny, PhD Student

CONTACT

010 47 80 60; heloise.louvegny@uclouvain.be

Stéphanie SM Mazzone, Postdoctoral

CONTACT

02 764 20 34; stephanie.mazzone@saintluc.uclouvain.be

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 14, 2026
• First Posted: January 22, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2031
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2031
• Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share