Assessing Camouflaging in Adolescence: Psychometric Evaluation of the German Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q/DE).

PURPOSE: Camouflaging refers to compensatory strategies used to conceal autistic traits and has been shown to negatively affect the mental health of autistic individuals. As no German instrument currently exists to measure camouflaging, this study aimed to validate a German translation of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q/DE) in autistic and non-autistic adolescents.

METHODS

Confirmatory factor analyses tested the original three-factor CAT-Q model in German adolescents (N = 164 autistic, N = 482 non-autistic) using self- and parent-report data. Measurement invariance, rater agreement, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were evaluated.

RESULTS

The three-factor structure was confirmed, and scalar measurement invariance was fully established for sex and age group in both self- and parent-reports. CAT-Q/DE scores were higher in the autism sample than the non-autism sample, with gender differences observed only in the autism group, where females scored higher than males. CAT-Q/DE scores showed moderate to strong associations with anxiety, depression, and stress. Test-retest reliability was moderate in the non-autism sample. Rater agreement was moderate in the autism group and high in the non-autism group.

CONCLUSION

The CAT-Q/DE is a reliable and valid self- and parent-report measure for camouflaging in German-speaking adolescents. Further research on camouflaging development and consequences is needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT05989685.