The Mediating Role of Impulsivity in The Relationship Between Childhood Traumas and Symptoms Severity in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), marked by persistent obsessions and compulsions, is shaped by genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Recent research has explored the possible link between childhood trauma and symptom severity. Impulsivity, commonly seen in OCD patients, may worsen symptoms and influence treatment outcomes. This study investigates the link between childhood trauma and OCD severity, focusing on the mediating role of impulsivity. Methods: The study included 85 OCD patients aged 18–65, either newly diagnosed or under follow-up at Silifke State Hospital. Childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and OCD severity with the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Impulsivity was measured using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS). Appropriate statistical methods were applied to the data. Results: The sample (mean age = 29.65 ± 9.24) consisted of 34 female participants, representing 40% of the total sample. A significant positive correlation was observed between CTQ scores (excluding sexual abuse) and Y-BOCS scores. Regression analyses showed that CTQ significantly predicted BIS (β = 0.506, p = 0.047), and BIS significantly predicted Y-BOCS (β = 0.538, p = 0.002). Additionally, while the direct effect of CTQ on Y-BOCS was not statistically significant (β= 0.309, SE= 0.578, p= 0.056), BIS was identified as a mediator in the relationship between CTQ and Y-BOCS. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of considering childhood traumas and impulsivity in OCD treatment. Interventions targeting impulsivity may influence the severity of OCD symptoms and could be beneficial when integrated into treatment protocols. More research is needed to uncover the relationship between childhood trauma and OCD. This article’s short podcast by AI (English) This article’s short podcast by AI (Turkish)