Early parental preoccupations and behaviors and their possible relationship to the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder

This study focuses on early parental preoccupations and behaviors (EPPB) su rrounding the birth of a new family member. An interview instrument was dev eloped to assess EPPB at eight months prepartum and two weeks and three mon ths postpartum Measures with adequate psychometric and conceptual propertie s were used to assess the overall level of parental preoccupations and asso ciated actions as well as three content domains: caregiving (CARE), relatio nship building (RELATIONSHIP), and anxious intrusive thoughts associated wi th harm avoidant behaviors (AITHAB). The hypothesis that preoccupations and behaviors would peak for both parents close to the birth of the child was confirmed. Measures of EPPB were distinguished from symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety. Consistent with our a priori hypothesis the conten t and character of the AITHAB was found to resemble the symptoms of obsessi ve-compulsive disorder (OCD). The study findings suggest the potential adap tive significance of EPPB and the possible evolutionary origins of OCD.