Clinical and Cognitive Correlates of Depressive Symptoms Among Youth with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

Depression is the most common comorbidity among adults with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), yet little is known about depressive symptoms in childhood OCD. This study examined clinical and cognitive variables associated with depressive symptomatology in 71 youths (62% male, M age = 12.7 years) with primary OCD. Youths presented with a range of depressive symptoms, with 21% scoring at or above the clinical cutoff on the self-report measure of depression. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with higher levels of cognitive distortions assessed on measures of insight, perceived control, competence, and contingencies. Depressive symptoms were also linked to older age and more severe OCD. Low perceived control and self-competence and high OCD severity independently predicted depression scores.

This research was supported by NIMH grant R01 MH58549 to John Piacentini, a NIMH grant K23 MH085058 to Tara Peris, and a NARSAD Young Investigator Award to Tara Peris.

Notes

Note. OCD = obsessive–compulsive disorder; CY-BOCS = Children's Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; CDI = Children's Depression Inventory; SPPC = Self-Perception Profile for Children.

^a,b,c N = 71

Results of t tests for group differences: **p < .01. ***p < .001.

¹A separate set of analyses was conducted without the 1 participant who met criteria for full MDD. When this participant was removed, the overall pattern of findings remained the same. However, a significant positive correlation emerged between CDI scores and sexual obsessions (r = .24, p >.05).

Note. n = 71. Ethnicity was examined as a categorical variable (Caucasian/non-Caucasian). CDI = Children's Depression Inventory; CY-BOCS = Children's Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; SPPC = Self-Perception Profile for Children.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. (o) refers to obsessions; (c) refers to compulsions categories derived from the Children's Yale––Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS). Significant correlations (p < .05) are shown in bold. CDI = Children's Depression Inventory.

Note. Standardized β for significant predictors (p < .05) are shown in bold. CY–BOCS = Children's Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; SPPC = Self–Perception Profile for Children.