Adaptation and validation of the dimensional DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive related disorder scales in adolescents: Preliminary data

The DSM-5 introduced a new chapter called obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs), which includes four disorders along with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), hoarding disorder (HD), trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) (TTM) and excoriation (skin picking) disorder (SPD). The DSM-5 OCRDs subworkgroup developed several short self-report scales for BDD, HD, TTM, and SPD that not only reflect the DSM-5 criteria, but also are consistent in content and structure and can be used by mental health professionals to generate dimensional severity scores for each disorder. The scales were initially validated in adult samples and is therefore unclear if these scales can be reliably used in younger populations. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the DSM-5 OCRDs dimensional scales in a sample of 299 Spanish adolescents. The scales showed a one-dimensional structure, acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.69–0.89), convergent validity (rs=0.50–0.71), and significantly higher total values in individuals who indicated the presence of central symptoms of each disorder through diagnostic screening (Cohen's d = 0.65–1.59). The results provide support for further evaluation of these scales in clinical samples of adolescents with OCRDs. •Examined the psychometrics of the dimensional DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive related disorder scales in a sample of Spanish adolescents.•The scales demonstrated a single factor structure, acceptable internal consistency and convergent validity.•The scales reliably discriminated between potential cases and non-cases.•Further evaluation of the scales in clinical samples of young people with obsessive compulsive related disorders is warranted.