The Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale: Development and Validation of a Short Form (DOCS-SF)

Abstract

Accurately and reliably measuring the presence and severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms is essential for both routine clinical work and research. The current study investigated psychometric properties of the dimensional obsessive-compulsive scale-short form (DOCS-SF). DOCS-SF was developed and validated in Norwegian. DOCS-SF contains a checklist with four symptom categories and five severity items scored on a zero to eight scale yielding a total score of 0–40. Data were collected from adults with a current diagnosis of OCD (n = 204) and a community comparison group (n = 211). The results provided evidence of internal consistency and convergent validity, although evidence for discriminant validity was mixed. Evidence was also found for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and treatment sensitivity. The analyses suggested a cut-off score of 16. In summary, the data obtained proved similar to studies published on the original dimensional obsessive-compulsive scale. There is strong evidence for the reliability and validity of the DOCS-SF for assessing OCD symptoms in individuals with this condition and in non-clinical individuals.

The Bergen 4-Day Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Does It Work in a New Clinical Setting?

“…The Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale-Short Form (DOCS-SF; Eilertsen et al, 2017) is a 5-item self-report questionnaire similar in structure to the original DOCS. Patients indicate on a checklist if they experience any of the four presented obsessions (contamination, responsibility, unacceptable thoughts and symmetry/ordering, or “other”).…”

The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Outcomes for Patients Treated After Initial Waiting List or Self-Help Intervention

“…Two self-report measures of OCD symptoms were also included. The Dimensional Obsessive Compulsive Scale Short-Form (DOCS-SF; Eilertsen et al, 2017) is a five item version of the original 28-item version of DOCS (Abramowitz et al, 2010). The five items are rated on a scale from 0 to 8 and concern time spent, avoidance, distress, interference with functioning, and difficulty disregarding obsessions and refraining from compulsions.…”

Recognizing obsessive-compulsive disorder: how suitable is the German Zohar-Fineberg obsessive-compulsive screen?

“…As expected, the ZF-OCS screening also showed evidence of discriminant validity, since it was correlated significantly less with short measures on depression [ 23 ], health anxiety [ 27 ] and health-related well-being [ 29 ]. However, it turned out to be difficult to disentangle OC symptoms from general anxiety as measured by the GAD-7 – a problem that appeared in previous studies on OCD instruments as well [ 2 , 17 , 18 , 38 ]. The reason for this may be twofold.…”