Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Beliefs in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Examination of Cognitive Models

Abstract

Cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) posit that particular beliefs transform normal intrusions into disturbing obsessions. A wealth of data shows that such beliefs and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms are related in adults. However, there is markedly less information regarding OCD-related beliefs in youth. The purpose of this study was to assess the relation between OCD-related beliefs and OC symptoms in unselected adolescents (ages 13–18 years; N = 159). Findings from questionnaires completed on the Internet were consistent with previous findings in adults. Increased levels of OCD-related beliefs were related to increased levels of OC symptoms. Perfectionism and certainty beliefs had a specific relation with symmetry and ordering symptoms. Contrary to expectation, levels of OCD-related beliefs in this unselected sample were similar to those found in prior studies of youth diagnosed with OCD. Implications, limitations, and future directions for the study of OCD-related beliefs in youth are discussed.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Paediatric and Adult Samples: Nature, Treatment and Cognitive Processes. A Review of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature

“…A more recent study, however, found that perfectionism and certainty beliefs in an unselected sample of adolescents were similar to levels found in previous studies of young people with an OCD diagnosis (Coles, Ravid, Franklin, Storch, & Khanna, 2014). Perfectionism beliefs have also been shown to correlate with OC symptoms (Coles et al, 2014; Huan, Rice, & Storch, 2008; Soreni et al, 2014). For instance, Soreni et al (2014) found that perfectionism beliefs were associated with severity of OCD and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with OCD.…”

“…One study found that young people with OCD had significantly higher ratings of perfectionism beliefs (i.e., concern over mistakes) compared to both anxious and non-clinical controls (Libby et al, 2004). A more recent study, however, found that perfectionism and certainty beliefs in an unselected sample of adolescents were similar to levels found in previous studies of young people with an OCD diagnosis (Coles, Ravid, Franklin, Storch, & Khanna, 2014). Perfectionism beliefs have also been shown to correlate with OC symptoms (Coles et al, 2014; Huan, Rice, & Storch, 2008; Soreni et al, 2014).…”

“…As with the adult literature, it is also evident that paediatric experimental studies tend to manipulate one belief domain (e.g., inflated responsibility) without controlling for other appraisal types. Problems with cognitive questionnaires used in these studies have also been highlighted, such as the use of questionnaires designed for adult populations with unknown psychometric properties for paediatric samples (Coles et al, 2014; Verhaak & De Haan, 2007).…”

Obsessive beliefs and subtypes of obsessive-compulsive symptoms amongst immigrant children and early adolescents

“…Evidence from more recent primary studies in large community or clinical samples of adolescents [23][24] supported the cross-sectional association between Perfectionism and Intolerance of Uncertainty and OCD even when controlling for anxiety and depressive symptoms. Other studies found a speci c relation of Perfectionism and Intolerance of Uncertainty with symmetry and ordering symptoms [25]. In a group of adolescents with OCD, very strong correlations between overvalued ideation were reported, a cognitive domain which is similar to the Importance of Thoughts belief, and OCD severity [26].…”