Autistic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Conditions
Keywords
Phobia, Social, Anxiety, Autistic Disorder, Parents, Social Interaction
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.
Interventions
OTHERNo intervention (observational study)
This is an observational study with no intervention applied.
Sponsors
Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
11 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Social Anxiety Severity | At baseline | Severity of social anxiety symptoms measured by the Social Anxiety Disorder Severity Scale - Child Form. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Autism Traits in Adolescents | At baseline | Autism spectrum traits in adolescents assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale, completed by parents. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Parental Broader Autism Phenotype | At baseline | Parental broader autism phenotype evaluated using the Autism Spectrum Questionnaire. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed