OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS - A CROSS-SECTIONAL AUSTRALIAN STUDY

Objective: To examine the reliability of the survey form of the Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version (LOI-CV), ascertain the prevalenc e of self-reported obsessive-compulsive behaviour together with age an d sex differences and identify the most common obsessive-compulsive be haviours and their associated level of interference. Methodology: The survey form of the LOI-CV was administered to a large sample of childr en and adolescents attending regular schools. Participants were aged b etween 8 and 16 years (n = 1602). Results: We found the survey instrum ent to have adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability. There was an age-related decline in self-reported obsessive-compulsiv e behaviour and girls reported a higher level of obsessive-compulsive behaviour than boys. The most common obsessive-compulsive behaviours i ncluded: repeated thoughts or words, having trouble making decisions, having to do certain things and doing things in the exact manner and h aving a bad conscience. For the most part, these behaviours were assoc iated with low levels of interference. However, for a significant mino rity of youth (5 to 14%), these behaviours did cause problems and sign ificantly interfered with their lives. Conclusions: Although many obse ssive-compulsive behaviours are part of normal development, they may s till be problematic for some children and adolescents.