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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06375226

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

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

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Key information

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

ParnassiaGroep Antes

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3083 AK, Netherlands

About this study

Rationale: Previous research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attachment has improved understanding of the aetiology and development of the disorder. Research on adults with ASD, however is scarce. The study is focussed on attachment in adults with ASD. Objective: The aim of the current study is to explore attachment styles of adults with ASD and examining the relationship between attachment and ASD.

The study requires 60 participants.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. The Social Responsiveness Scale - Adult version (SRS-A)

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    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.

  2. The Attachment Styles Questionnaire (ASQ)

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    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).

  3. Experiences in Close Relationships - Revised questionnaire (ECR-r)

    Time frame: 15 minutes

    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).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Parnassia Groep

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attachment. An Explorative Study of Attachment Styles in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Acronym: ASDA

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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