Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
10:51
Real-time fMRI Biofeedback Targeting the Orbitofrontal Cortex for Contamination Anxiety
Published on: January 20, 2012
Cross-cultural validity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
W A Arrindell1, Irene H de Vlaming, Beatrix M Eisenhardt
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Heymans Institute, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/I, 9712 TS Groningen, Netherlands. w.arrindell@ppsw.rug.nl
Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry
|March 12, 2003
Summary
The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for the Netherlands (Y-BOCS-NL) shows excellent reliability and validity in psychiatric patients. Its Obsessions and Compulsions model is superior for assessing obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychometrics
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) requires reliable assessment tools.
- The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a standard measure.
- Adaptation of the Y-BOCS for the Netherlands (Y-BOCS-NL) needed psychometric evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Y-BOCS-NL.
- To determine the best factorial structure for the Y-BOCS-NL.
- To assess the reliability and validity of the Y-BOCS-NL in Dutch psychiatric inpatients.
Main Methods:
- Examined psychometric properties in 65 psychiatric inpatients.
- Determined factorial invariance of two models: Severity/Disturbance vs. Obsessions/Compulsions.
- Assessed inter-rater agreement, internal consistency, and concurrent/divergent validity.
Main Results:
- The Obsessions and Compulsions model demonstrated superior factorial invariance.
- Excellent inter-rater agreement and internal consistency were established.
- Y-BOCS-NL showed good concurrent and divergent validity, correlating with related and unrelated measures.
Conclusions:
- The Y-BOCS-NL is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing OCD symptoms in the Netherlands.
- The Obsessions and Compulsions dimensional structure is recommended for the Y-BOCS-NL.
- The scale demonstrates excellent reliability and validity for clinical and research use.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:24Cattell's 16 Personality Factors
Raymond Cattell's trait theory offers a structured framework for understanding personality by distinguishing between two critical traits: surface and source traits. Surface traits are observable patterns of behavior, such as indecisiveness, anxiety, and irrational fears. These traits are less stable, varying across situations and over time. This means that they are less helpful in understanding the deeper aspects of an individual's personality.
In contrast, source traits are the fundamental,...
In contrast, source traits are the fundamental,...
01:26Cultural Influences on Personality
Individualist and collectivist cultures emphasize different core values, shaping personality in distinct ways. In individualist cultures, such as those in the United States, England, and Australia, people prioritize independence, competition, and personal achievement. These societies tend to promote self-focused traits, with individuals often reporting higher levels of self-esteem. In contrast, collectivist cultures, commonly found in regions like Asia, Africa, and South America, emphasize...
01:22Self-Report Tests of Personality
Self-report inventories are objective personality assessments that use multiple-choice items or numbered scales, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). They are often called Likert scales after Rensis Likert. These inventories are widely used due to their ease of administration and cost-effectiveness. One of the most prominent examples is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), initially developed in the 1940s to assess abnormal personality traits.
01:28Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...
01:24Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are two separate psychological conditions that influence behavior, relationships, and overall life functioning. Though both involve maladaptive behaviors, their core characteristics and motivations differ significantly.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...