Autism Traits in Adolescents With Social Anxiety Disorder: Associations With Parental Broader Autism Phenotype

Completed

• Conditions: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD); Autistic Disorder

• Registration Number: NCT07106840
• Lead Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to examine autism-related traits in adolescents diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and to evaluate their associations with broader autism phenotype (BAP) features in their parents. A total of 109 adolescents aged 11-17 and their parents were included. Standardized scales were used to assess social anxiety severity and autism traits in adolescents, and BAP characteristics in parents.

Detailed Description

Autism spectrum traits and social anxiety share clinical and cognitive features, particularly in the domains of social communication and interaction. These overlaps suggest that autistic traits may be present in adolescents diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD), even in the absence of a formal autism diagnosis. Furthermore, the concept of the broader autism phenotype (BAP) suggests that subclinical autism-related features may be observed in parents of individuals with autism traits.

This study includes 109 adolescents (aged 11-17) diagnosed with SAD and their parents. The adolescents completed a standardized scale assessing social anxiety severity, while parents completed the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) for their children and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) to assess BAP characteristics in themselves. The study aimed to explore the associations between adolescents' autism-related traits and their social anxiety severity, and to evaluate how parental BAP scores (particularly fathers') may be associated with these traits.

Note: This study involved prospective recruitment and data collection; however, registration was completed retrospectively after the study was completed.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-01-11
• Primary Completion: 2025-02-10
• Study Completion: 2025-03-01
• Status Verified: 2025-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-07-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-07-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-07-30
• Study First Posted: 2025-08-06
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-06

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 109

Inclusion Criteria

Adolescents aged 11-17 years diagnosed with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAB). Availability of at least one biological parent willing to participate. Ability to provide informed consent/assent.

Exclusion Criteria

Presence of intellectual disability or severe neurological disorder. Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses that could interfere with assessment (e.g., psychosis).

Non-fluency in the language of assessment.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Social Anxiety Severity	At baseline	Severity of social anxiety symptoms measured by the Social Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale - Child Form.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Autism Traits in Adolescents	At baseline	Autism spectrum traits in adolescents assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale, completed by parents.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ankara Bilkent City Hospital; 🇹🇷 Ankara, Turkey