DEVELOPMENT OF AN AMDP MODULE FOR IDENTIF ICATION OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS (CONCEPTUALIZATION AND EMPIRICAL RESULTS)

Results of epidemiology and comorbidity studies have recently demonstr ated the psychopathological relevance of obsessive-compulsive symptoms . Therefore the ''Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Methodik und Diagnostik in d er Psychiatrie'' (AMDP) has started to develop a rating scale for a qu ick and precise assessment of obsessive-com pulsive symptoms. The actu al version of the scale comprises 20 items on the dimensions ''descrip tion'', ''distress and impairment'' and ''emotion and cognition''. The results of a first empirical study (n = 137, psychiatric in-and outpa tients) demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0,92), a split-half reliability of 0.89 (Spearman-Brown), a test-ret est reliability of r = 0.86 and good convergent validity with the Yale -Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOGS) and the Hamburger Zwangsinv entar (HZI). The factor-analytical distribution of the 20 items reveal ed a 4-factor structur of the scale. The results are presented and the ir implications on further steps of the development of the scale are d iscussed.