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Decreased family accommodation associated with improved therapy outcome in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder

Lisa J Merlo1, Heather D Lehmkuhl, Gary R Geffken

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0234, USA. lmerlo@ufl.edu

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|March 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Family accommodation is common in pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and impacts treatment outcomes. Reducing accommodation during therapy is linked to better results for children with OCD.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Family Psychology

Background:

  • Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition impacting children and families.
  • Current treatments like CBT and SSRIs are not universally effective.
  • Family accommodation is a common response to pediatric OCD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between family accommodation and treatment outcomes in pediatric OCD.
  • To determine if reductions in family accommodation predict improved treatment results.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 49 pediatric OCD patients (ages 6-18) and their parents participated.
  • Participants underwent 14 sessions of family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
  • Measures of family accommodation and OCD severity were assessed at pretreatment and posttreatment.

Main Results:

  • Family accommodation was prevalent and correlated with higher symptom severity at pretreatment.
  • Decreases in family accommodation during therapy significantly predicted better treatment outcomes.
  • These findings held even when controlling for initial OCD severity and impairment.

Conclusions:

  • Family accommodation is a significant factor in pediatric OCD treatment.
  • Reducing accommodation may be a crucial target for improving therapeutic effectiveness.
  • Family accommodation can serve as a predictor of treatment success in pediatric OCD.

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