Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2024.277

Validation of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale in a Sample of Croatian Pregnant Women

Maja Brekalo ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia;
Vicko Ćudina orcid.org/0009-0001-6635-8879 ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia;
Marijana Matijaš orcid.org/0000-0003-2474-340X ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Maja Žutić orcid.org/0000-0001-9197-1096 ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia;
Sandra Nakić Radoš orcid.org/0000-0002-8330-8427 ; University Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia;

Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can occur during the peripartum period when obsessions are mainly focused on
the baby. The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is considered the “golden standard” for the assessment
of severity of OCD symptoms. Previous studies revealed different factor structures of the Y-BOCS. However, this scale has
not been validated on a Croatian sample or during pregnancy, making it the aim of this cross-sectional study which
involved 569 pregnant women who were, on average, 35.4 weeks pregnant. In order to examine the divergent validity, in
addition to Y-BOCS, the participants filled out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Anxiety subscale of
the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), and the Pregnancy Concerns Scale (PCS). The 1-factor, 2-factor, 3-factor,
higher order, and bifactor models of the questionnaire have been established in the literature, which is why we examined
them using confirmatory factor analysis. The best fit to the data based on empirical indicators and theoretical expectations
was obtained in the higher-order factor model with two second-order factors: obsessions and compulsions. Reliability was
high. Divergent validity, examined by correlations with depressive symptoms, general anxiety, and pregnancy-specific
anxiety, was acceptable. The Y-BOCS revealed good psychometric properties in the sample of Croatian pregnant women.
The total scale and two subscales could be used in the peripartum period to screen for OCD symptoms.

Keywords

Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder; Validation; Peripartum Period; Pregnancy

Hrčak ID:

328103

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/328103

Publication date:

10.12.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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