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Open Access 01-12-2017 | Primary research

A multilevel longitudinal study of obsessive compulsive symptoms in adolescence: male gender and emotional stability as protective factors

Authors: Vasilis Stavropoulos, Kathleen A. Moore, Helen Lazaratou, Dimitris Dikeos, Rapson Gomez

Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

The severity of obsessive compulsive symptoms (OCS) is suggested to be normally distributed in the general population, and they appear to have an impact on a range of aspects of adolescent development. Importantly, there are individual differences regarding susceptibility to OCS. In the present repeated measures study, OCS were studied in relation to gender and emotional stability (as a personality trait) using a normative sample of 515 adolescents at ages 16 and 18 years. OCS were assessed with the relevant subscale of the SCL-90-R and emotional stability with the Five Factor Questionnaire. A three-level hierarchical linear model was calculated to longitudinally assess the over time variations of OCS and their over time links to gender and emotional stability, while controlling for random effects due to the nesting of the data. Experiencing OCS increased with age (between 16 and 18 years). Additionally, male gender and higher emotional stability were associated with lower OCS at 16 years and these remained stable over time. Results indicate age-related and between individual differences on reported OCS that need to be considered for prevention and intervention planning.

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Title: A multilevel longitudinal study of obsessive compulsive symptoms in adolescence: male gender and emotional stability as protective factors
Authors: Vasilis Stavropoulos
Kathleen A. Moore
Helen Lazaratou
Dimitris Dikeos
Rapson Gomez
Publication date: 01-12-2017
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1744-859X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-017-0165-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A multilevel longitudinal study of obsessive compulsive symptoms in adolescence: male gender and emotional stability as protective factors

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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