Family involvement and treatment for young children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Randomized control study

Abstract

() Background/Objective The aim of this paper was to evaluate the diferential efficacy of cognitive behavioral family treatment in children under 8 years of age with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the reduction of obsessive-compulsive responses and secondary outcomes in three treatment conditions: (a) Treatment of parents and child, (b) Treatment of mother and child, and (c) Treatment of mother. Method Forty-four children with obsessive-compulsive disorder, aged 5.2-7.9 years old and their parents, were randomized to one of three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Seventy-five percent was male and 100% Caucasian (White-European). Treatment involved 12 individual sessions of is Cognitive-Behavioral Family-Based Treatment delivered. Results The three conditions produced clinical improvements in post-test and follow-up in the primary (symptom severity OCD) and secondary outcomes. The results showed no intergroup differences in variables related to OCD symptom severity, although statistically significant differences were found in groups in Internalizing and Externalizing problem, mother and fathers accomodation. Conclusions The most efficient condition was that including a greater number of family members even when there was high family accommodation. The direct involvement of the child in the psychological treatment was important in achieving better results.

Integrating elements of teddy bear therapy into cognitive behavioral therapy for a child with obsessive–compulsive disorder: A case study

“…This reflects existing literature highlighting the key role family accommodation plays in OCD maintenance (Francazio et al, 2016) and the importance of including parents in therapy to address this (Rosa‐Alcazar et al, 2019). Empowering parents to step into roles as co‐therapists seemed to help diminish power imbalances which may have resulted in a professional‐dependent approach to recovery, as well as enabling a more effective therapeutic alliance between therapist and parents.…”

Coping strategies in obsessive-compulsive patients during Covid-19 lockdown

“…In addition, there were no differences in the use of instrumental support between both groups. Therefore, these clinical variables seem to be relevant in which strategies are used ( Rosa-Alcázar et al, 2019 , Seçer and Ulaş, 2020 , Storch et al, 2010 ).…”

“…Patients under quarantine or staying at home under restrictions are at great risk of sleep problems, thus increasing anxiety and worsening OCD symptoms. It is relevant to be in contact with professionals, review medication and observe the anxiety and depression levels that increase the use of maladaptive strategies in OCD patients ( Fineberg et al, 2020 , Rosa-Alcázar et al, 2019 ).…”

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young women affected with anorexia nervosa and their relationship with personality, psychopathology and attachment style

“…It is possible that paying more attention to attachment may be useful for OCD subjects. Anyway it seems to be strategic to approach attachment troubles in those subjects which express a comorbidity between the disorders [90]. Approaching the attachment problems by building an empathic, authoritative, stable and caring therapeutic relationship may represent a necessary strategy to overcome the resistance to changes with both AN and OCD participants with AN [91].…”