Factor structure of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale: a two dimensional measure

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychometrics

Background:

• The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a standard tool for measuring obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom severity.
• Typically, Y-BOCS scores are combined into a single global measure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dimensional structure of the Y-BOCS.
• To determine if Y-BOCS items assessing obsessions and compulsions represent distinct factors.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on data from 83 OCD patients.
• The analysis examined whether a one-factor or two-factor model best fit the Y-BOCS data.

Main Results:

• Results supported a two-factor solution, indicating distinct dimensions for obsessions and compulsions.
• Depression scores correlated with both the obsessions and compulsions subscales.
• Trait anxiety scores correlated with the obsessions subscale but not the compulsions subscale.

Conclusions:

• The Y-BOCS may be more accurately interpreted as having two subscales: one for obsessions and one for compulsions.
• This dimensional approach offers a more refined understanding of OCD symptomology.
• The findings suggest differential correlations of depression and anxiety with OCD symptom dimensions.