“Why do I obsess about my child's flaws?”: Assessing the role of parental self‐vulnerabilities in parent–child relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (ROCD) symptoms

Abstract

Objective Relationship obsessive compulsive disorder (ROCD) is a manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that refers to obsessions, doubts, and compulsive behaviours focusing on one's relationship and relationship partner. ROCD symptoms occur in various types of relationships including parent–child dyads, involving obsessional preoccupations with the perceived flaws of one's child (parent–child ROCD symptoms). Such preoccupations have been shown to be associated with decreased mood and significant parental distress. We examined the double self‐vulnerability hypothesis—that the co‐occurrence of parental contingency of self in specific domains (i.e., intelligence and appearance) and child‐value contingent self‐worth would be associated with increased parent–child ROCD symptoms. Method A total of 175 parents participated in the study and completed self‐report questionnaires to assess ROCD and depressive symptoms and parental self‐contingencies. We used linear regression with simple slope analyses to estimate interaction effects. Results Parents whose self‐worth were strongly dependent on their child's perceived value showed higher parent–child ROCD symptoms, particularly when co‐occurring with parental intelligence and appearance self‐contingencies. These findings were maintained when controlling for depression symptoms, parental age, and gender. Conclusions Results supported the double self‐vulnerability hypothesis suggesting that parents with child‐value and domain‐relevant self‐vulnerabilities might be susceptible to child‐related obsessions. More research is needed to further explore susceptibility of vulnerable parents to the development and maintenance of parent–child ROCD symptoms.

Initial Evidence for Symptoms of Postpartum Parent-Infant Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (PI-ROCD) and Associated Risk for Perturbed Maternal Behavior and Infant Social Disengagement From Mother

“…Recent literature on older children and their parents has identified a specific dimension of parental OCD [partner-focused Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; (22)(23)(24)], that arises within the parent-child relationship and may impact the quality of the emerging parent and infant relationship. Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) refers to a presentation of OCD focusing on close interpersonal relationships (25).…”

“…Findings suggest that ROCD symptoms are associated with functional disability, as well as significant personal and relationship distress [e.g., (25,28,29)]. Although previous research has established the existence of partner-focused ROCD within the parent-child relationship [e.g., (22)(23)(24)], no study has yet assessed whether the onset of parent-child ROCD (PC-ROCD) symptoms may arise during the postnatal period, thus culminating in Parent-infant ROCD (PI-ROCD) symptoms, and whether these might impact the mother and her emerging relationship with her newborn across the 1st month postpartum.…”

“…Partner-focused ROCD symptoms include intense preoccupation with the perceived flaws of the partner [e.g., ( 27 , 30 )]. Such preoccupations may center on a wide range of domains including physical features (e.g., nose, body-proportions), social qualities (e.g., social skills, humor), competence (e.g., being successful), and personality attributes such as morality, intelligence or emotional stability ( 24 , 31 ). Partner-focused ROCD symptoms are also characterized by various compulsive behaviors including repeated checking (e.g., of the partner's behaviors or competencies), comparisons (e.g., between the partner's characteristics and those of others), neutralizing (e.g., visualizing positive situations in the relationship), and reassurance seeking (e.g., “I often seek reassurance from friends, family, etc.…”

“…Within the parent-child context, ROCD symptoms are characterized by parental preoccupation with the child's perceived flaws ( 23 , 24 ). In a recent online study, for instance, 1.2% of 350 parents of children between the ages of 12–18 recruited from the general community in the US, reported spending above 3 h a day being preoccupied with the flaws in their eldest child's appearance, personality or aptitude.…”

“…Parent-child ROCD symptoms in non-clinical samples have been associated with parental self-vulnerabilities (e.g., parental self-contingencies on specific domains such as intelligence and appearance) and over-reliance of parental self-worth on the child perceived value ( 24 ). ROCD symptoms focusing on the child's perceived flaws have also been strongly associated with parental distress and negative experience of parenting ( 23 ).…”