Transdiagnostic links of reward processing in obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression

Transdiagnostic models aim to uncover shared mechanisms across mental disorders. Reward responsiveness (the ability to experience pleasure from rewarding stimuli) is a plausible, yet underexplored, transdiagnostic mechanism linking obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. This study used network analysis to (1) examine how key reward responsiveness domains are interlinked in individuals with OCD and (2) explore how each domain is uniquely associated with OCD and depression.

A total of 1345 individuals with a history of OCD symptoms (ages 18-88, 71 % women) from Latino communities in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and nine Latin American countries completed validated measures of reward responsiveness, OCD, and depression. Network analyses evaluated interrelations among reward responsiveness domains and their links to OCD and depression.

Hobbies and social interactions were the most central domains in the reward responsiveness network. Higher OCD severity was uniquely associated with lower responsiveness to social interactions, while higher depression severity was uniquely linked to reduced responsiveness in hobbies and goal-directed behaviors.

Reward responsiveness is relevant to both OCD and depression. Interventions that enhance engagement in central domains, such as hobbies and social interactions, may improve outcomes. Future research should explore reward responsiveness in other mental disorders to inform transdiagnostic intervention strategies.