TY - JOUR
T1 - Contrast avoidance as a diagnostic feature of OCD
T2 - A receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis of the contrast avoidance questionnaires
AU - Swisher, Valerie S.
AU - Newman, Michelle G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2025/1/1
Y1 - 2025/1/1
N2 - Background: Models focusing on transdiagnostic mechanisms, such as repetitive negative thinking, may be of additive value to existing conceptualizations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One such model is the Contrast Avoidance Model (CAM), which posits that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are sensitive to sharp increases in emotions, and use worry to maintain heightened states of negative arousal to avoid these emotional shifts. The current study used receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to examine the predictive utility of two contrast avoidance questionnaires in detecting probable OCD. Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 2880) completed measures of contrast avoidance (CAQ-GE and CAQ-W) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. A subset of participants were selected for the probable OCD group (n = 431) and the non-OCD group (n = 433). Results: Results showed significant differences in total CAQ-GE and CAQ-W scores between the probable OCD group and the non-OCD group. Area under the curve values demonstrated excellent accuracy in predicting probable OCD on the CAQ-GE and CAQ-W, (.87 and .88, respectively). Correlation analyses for the entire screening sample revealed that certain OC symptom dimensions (e.g., Unacceptable Thoughts; Responsibility for Harm) were more closely associated with the CAQ-GE and the CAQ-W relative to other symptom dimensions. Limitations: The study had a cross-sectional design and relied on an undergraduate sample. Conclusion: Identifying shared mechanisms across OCD and its comorbidities is an important and novel approach to understanding the etiology and maintenance of symptoms.
AB - Background: Models focusing on transdiagnostic mechanisms, such as repetitive negative thinking, may be of additive value to existing conceptualizations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One such model is the Contrast Avoidance Model (CAM), which posits that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are sensitive to sharp increases in emotions, and use worry to maintain heightened states of negative arousal to avoid these emotional shifts. The current study used receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analyses to examine the predictive utility of two contrast avoidance questionnaires in detecting probable OCD. Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 2880) completed measures of contrast avoidance (CAQ-GE and CAQ-W) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. A subset of participants were selected for the probable OCD group (n = 431) and the non-OCD group (n = 433). Results: Results showed significant differences in total CAQ-GE and CAQ-W scores between the probable OCD group and the non-OCD group. Area under the curve values demonstrated excellent accuracy in predicting probable OCD on the CAQ-GE and CAQ-W, (.87 and .88, respectively). Correlation analyses for the entire screening sample revealed that certain OC symptom dimensions (e.g., Unacceptable Thoughts; Responsibility for Harm) were more closely associated with the CAQ-GE and the CAQ-W relative to other symptom dimensions. Limitations: The study had a cross-sectional design and relied on an undergraduate sample. Conclusion: Identifying shared mechanisms across OCD and its comorbidities is an important and novel approach to understanding the etiology and maintenance of symptoms.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.117
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.117
M3 - Article
C2 - 39299593
AN - SCOPUS:85204797417
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 368
SP - 734
EP - 740
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
ER -