Clinical Correlates of Comorbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Depression in Youth

A burgeoning body of literature addresses the comorbidity of depression and OCD in adults. The purpose of this study was to extend this area of research to children and adolescents by examining the clinical correlates associated with co-occurring depressive disorders in a clinical sample of youth with OCD. Participants included children and adolescents seeking treatment at a university-based research clinic. One group was comprised of 28 children (ages 10-17 years) who met diagnostic criteria for OCD but had no comorbid depressive disorders, whereas the second group consisted of 28 children matched for age and gender who met diagnostic criteria for OCD and co-occurring depressive disorder. The two groups were compared on measures of broad-band psychopathology, internalizing problems, social difficulties, and family characteristics. As anticipated, findings revealed comorbid depression and OCD was associated with more severe internalizing problems, more extensive obsessive compulsive symptomatology, and more social problems. Youth with comorbid depression and OCD also had higher family conflict and lower family organization compared to those with OCD and no depression. These results may have implications for the treatment of youth with comorbid OCD and depression.