Language

English

Publication Date

10-1-2024

Journal

Child Psychiatry & Human Development

DOI

10.1007/s10578-022-01488-4

PMID

36547756

PMCID

PMC10285027

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

10-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

Although youth and adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) endorse elevated incidence of exposure to traumatic life events during childhood, the existing literature on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and OCD is mixed and studies focusing on pediatric OCD are limited. The present study examines the relationship between ACEs and OCD onset, symptom severity, negative cognitive patterns, comorbidity, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) response in 142 children and adolescents with OCD. ACEs were ascertained from parent reports. Most parents reported child exposure to ACEs. Out of the parents who reported ACEs, 50% reported ACE exposure prior to OCD diagnosis and 50% reported ACE exposure after OCD diagnosis. No significant associations between ACEs and comorbidity or CBT response were found, suggesting that CBT for pediatric OCD is effective regardless of ACE exposure. Family financial problems were associated with increased obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and negative thinking. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords

Humans, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Male, Female, Adolescent, Child, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Severity of Illness Index, Comorbidity, Treatment Outcome, Thinking, Adverse childhood experiences, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Children, Treatment, Assessment

Published Open-Access

yes

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