Valued Living in Youth With and Without Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Psychometric Properties and the Importance-Consistency Gap of the Persian VLQ-Y

Abstract Intoduction: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Valued Living Questionnaire for Youth (VLQ-Y) and to compare valued living and the discrepancy between the perceived importance of life domains and consistency with personally important values among adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and community adolescents. Methods The Persian version of the VLQ-Y was administered to a community sample of 606 students and a clinical sample of 74 youth diagnosed with OCD. Construct validity was examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Internal consistency and 4-week test-retest reliability were evaluated in both samples. Convergent and divergent validities were assessed using measures of psychological inflexibility (AFQ-Y8), mindfulness (CAMM), anxiety (RCMAS), and depression (CDI). Results The CFA supported the theoretical one-factor structure of the VLQ-Y. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were good to excellent in both samples. Adolescents with OCD showed significantly lower valued living scores than community adolescents. Moreover, the importance-consistency gap was significantly greater in the OCD group, indicating a massive discrepancy between the perceived importance of life domains and the extent to which they acted consistently with those values. Conclusions The VLQ-Y is a robust and valid measure for assessing values in youth. Identifying the discrepancy between value importance and action in OCD provides specific targets for values-based interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.