Feasibility Study of UP-A-AST Parent Group for Adolescents With Autism and Co-occurring Anxiety/Depression

NCT07637799 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-05437-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 72
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity, particularly anxiety and depressive disorders, which contribute to significant impairment for affected youth and their families. Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, there is a lack of evidence-based interventions specifically adapted for youth with ASD and co-occurring emotional disorders. The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents (UP-C/UP-A) is a CBT-based intervention targeting shared mechanisms underlying anxiety and depression. A parent-mediated adaptation, the Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST), has been developed to address the specific needs of adolescents with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Preliminary quality improvement work has shown promising results. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the UP-A-AST Parent Group in a child and adolescent outpatient psychiatric setting. The study will include parents of adolescents aged 12-17 years with ASD and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. Outcomes include changes in adolescents' psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment, as well as parents' perceived parenting competence. Additionally, parents' experiences of participating in the intervention will be explored.

Conditions

Autistic Spectrum Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from baseline in RCADS Total Score through 3-Month Follow-up.

  Anxiety and depressive symptom severity will be assessed using the parent-reported version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), a validated questionnaire measuring symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and adolescents.Total scores range from 0 to 141, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity .

  Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change from baseline in Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale-Revised, Parent Version (CALIS-R) total Score at 3-Month follow-up

  Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention

• Change From Baseline in Brief Parental Self-Efficacy Scale (BPSES) Total Score at 3-Month Follow-up

  Baseline, at completion of the intervention (10 weeks) and 3 months post intervention

• Parent-reported experience of participation in the intervention UP-A-AST Parent Group

  At completion of the intervention (12 weeks)

Study Arms (1)

UP-A-AST Parent Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive the Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST), a parent-mediated, group-based cognitive behavioral intervention adapted for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring anxiety and/or depressive disorders. The intervention is delivered to parents in a group format and focuses on enhancing understanding of emotional difficulties and providing strategies to support adolescents' emotion regulation and functioning

Other: Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST)

Interventions

Unified Protocol-Adolescent Autism Parent Group (UP-A-AST) OTHER

The intervention is delivered in a group format to parents and focuses on strengthening parenting skills and promoting the adolescent's mental health and functional outcomes.

UP-A-AST Parent Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescents aged 12-17 years
• Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to DSM-IV, DSM-5, or ICD-10
• Current diagnosis of anxiety disorder and/or depressive disorder according to DSM-5
• Ongoing contact with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (BUP) outpatient clinic
• Parents has participated in a psychoeducational program on autism within child and adolescent psychiatric services, or is assessed by the clinician to have equivalent knowledge

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of a severe psychiatric disorder, such as psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or severe eating disorder
• High suicide risk or suicide attempt within the past 12 months
• Severe self-injurious behavior
• Intellectual disability according to DSM-5
• The adolescent is primarily in need of basic interventions for autism spectrum disorder
• Parents are unable to attend all group sessions and/or lack the ability to engage in assigned home practice
• Need for an interpreter

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sahlgrenska University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

BUP- Specialmottagning, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Gothenburg, 41345, Sweden

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders

Study Officials

• Karin Melin, PhD

  Sahlgrenska University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Karin Melin, PhD

CONTACT

+46730494348; karin.a.melin@vgregion.se

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

CONTACT

+46313421000

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 31, 2026
• First Posted: June 10, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 30, 2027
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SE (1)