Date

8-6-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Alyc Rideout

Keywords

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, abuse, yale brown obsessive-compulsive scale, life events checklist for dsm-5

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental health condition that has previously been linked to traumatic life experiences. Understanding the connection between trauma and OCD symptomatology is essential for developing clinical interventions. This study examined whether a history of abuse is related to an OCD diagnosis, whether a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis is correlated with heightened OCD symptoms, and whether experiencing multiple types of traumas increased OCD symptom severity. Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression analyses, were conducted along with thematic analysis of qualitative interview data. Participants with a comorbid diagnosis of OCD and PTSD exhibited elevated OCD symptoms. Additionally, PTSD symptoms were strongly correlated with OCD symptom severity. Specific trauma types such as emotional abuse, violence, and loss were linked to specific OCD symptom dimensions, including contamination and aggression obsessions. These findings suggest that the type of trauma, rather than the number of traumatic events, influenced the presentation of OCD symptoms. Findings suggest the use of trauma-informed care as well as integrated treatment approaches that address both PTSD as well as OCD symptoms, considering the individual’s trauma history and symptom patterns. These findings highlighted the importance of considering trauma history in the assessment and treatment of OCD, suggesting that addressing trauma-related symptoms may be crucial for alleviating OCD severity in populations who experienced trauma or abuse.

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