[Impact of Parental Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder on Child Development - Results from an In-Depth Interview Study]

Effects of parental obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) on the development of children as well as the resulting need for help were to be investigated in a qualitative study.

Using guided interviews, n = 15 adult children of parents with OCD were retrospectively interviewed about their childhood experiences. The recordings were transcribed and evaluated by means of content analysis.

The interviewes described numerous limitations and burdens due to parental OCD (taboo, involvement in obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, impairment of the parent-child relationship etc.). The majority of interviewes developed their own problems requiring treatment in adulthood, which they interpreted as consequence of their childhood experiences.

The tendency of parents with OCD to conceal and deny their mental disorder leads to many children experiencing an enormously stressful pressure to adapt and loyalty. Further studies on this are urgently needed.