An Investigation of the Effect of COVID-19 on OCD in Youth in the Context of Emotional Reactivity, Experiential Avoidance, Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

In addition to the serious physical and medical effects on individuals, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to have short-and long-term psycho-social consequences, especially for young people. Nowadays, with psychological problems becoming more widely recognized in adolescents, it is possible that the fear and anxiety caused by the pandemic will trigger various anxiety disorders, OCD and similar negative outcomes. Considering that psychological qualities such as emotional reactivity and experiential avoidance observed in adolescents may increase the risk of such psycho-social disorders, in this study the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and OCD was investigated in a Turkish sample of 598 adolescents, and the mediating role of emotional reactivity, experiential avoidance and depression-anxiety in this relationship was examined. The data collection was performed online rather than in person because of the COVID-19 threat. A structural equation model was used to determine the direct and indirect predictive effects between variables in data analysis. The results of the study show that the effect of COVID-19 fear on OCD is mediated by emotional reactivity, experiential avoidance and depressionanxiety.

The Immediate Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

“…Thus, in the clinical group both the patients and their parents knew that they very easily could be in touch with their therapist and/or a children and adolescent psychiatrist. The nding of positive correlations between an experienced aggravation of anxiety/depressive symptoms and avoidance, and the experienced worsening of OCD are in line with a recent study conducted by Secer et al [9]. The study showed a direct predictive effect of COVID-19 fear on OCD symptoms in youths and an indirect effect mediated through emotional reactivity, which in turn predicted avoidance and depression-anxiety.…”

“…The study showed a direct predictive effect of COVID-19 fear on OCD symptoms in youths and an indirect effect mediated through emotional reactivity, which in turn predicted avoidance and depression-anxiety. Furthermore, both avoidance and depression-anxiety had a signi cant predictive effect on OCD [9].…”

“…Likewise, a recent study has shown a relation between childhood traumas and the severity of OCD symptoms, the occurrence of comorbid anxiety, increased impulsivity, increased incidence of attention de cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a lower educational level [8]. Even though fear of COVID-19 infection may not be fully comparable with the above mentioned traumas in childhood, it has been suggested that both depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotic disorders and suicide may by consequences of fear of COVID-19, where individuals, who previously have experienced psychological disorders, may be specially prone [9]. Thus, in the early phases of COVID-19, populations of adults in China were asked about how much COVID-19 in uenced their lives.…”

The Immediate Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

“…Based on the present study, it is not possible to establish a direct link between the COVID-19 and the aggravation of OCD in children and adolescents. However, in line with Secer et al [9], the severity correlated with the increased experience of anxiety/depressive symptoms and avoidance behavior suggesting that also in the present study a relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and the experienced severity of the OCD symptoms may be important. Thus, both the direct threat of the infection, and the consequences of social distancing, social isolation and the constant focus on hygiene may affect children and adolescents in general, and maybe more if they have a psychiatric vulnerability [19].…”

“…Likewise, a recent study has shown a relation between childhood traumas and the severity of OCD symptoms, the occurrence of comorbid anxiety, increased impulsivity, increased incidence of attention de cit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a lower educational level [8]. Even though COVID-19 infections may not be fully comparable with the above mentioned traumas in childhood, it has been suggested that both depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotic disorders and suicide may by consequences of fear of COVID-19, where individuals, who previously have experienced psychological disorders, may be specially prone [9]. Thus, in the early phases of COVID-19, populations of adults in China were asked about how much COVID-19 in uenced their lives.…”