[Functions of OCD - development and initial validation of a questionnaire (FFZ)]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) presents with diverse functional impairments.
• Accurate assessment of OCD-related functions is crucial for effective treatment planning.
• Existing instruments may not fully capture the multifaceted nature of OCD functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and psychometrically evaluate a new questionnaire, the Functions of OCD (FFZ), for assessing specific OCD-related functions.
• To examine the reliability and validity of the FFZ in a clinical sample of OCD patients.
• To identify distinct functional scales within OCD.

Main Methods:

• Development of the FFZ questionnaire.
• Psychometric assessment using factor analysis and item analysis.
• Data collection from 120 patients with OCD during early inpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Main Results:

• Five scales emerged: OCD as self-confirmation, emotion regulation, avoidance of responsibility, interpersonal regulation, and OCD as occupation.
• The FFZ demonstrated satisfactory to excellent reliability for all subscales and the total score.
• Good factorial validity and excellent content validity were established, with relevant correlations to interpersonal problems and emotional competence.

Conclusions:

• The FFZ is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing specific functions associated with OCD.
• The FFZ can differentiate OCD-related functions, aiding in treatment individualization.
• Further research should explore the FFZ's utility across different treatment phases and populations.