Associations between childhood trauma, intolerance of uncertainty, and symptom severity in obsessive-compulsive disorder
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By
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Hasan Ünver
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Safiye Zeynep Tatlı
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Tayfun Öz
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İbrahim Hakkı Karakuş
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Mehmet Rıdvan Varlı
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Aybüke Demir
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Kübra Özcan Çetin
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İbrahim Gündoğmuş
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June 24, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Links Among Childhood Trauma, Uncertainty Intolerance, and Severity of Symptoms in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) |
| Key Mechanisms | Childhood trauma (CT) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) |
| Target Population | Patients diagnosed with OCD |
| Care Setting | Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic |
Key Highlights
- Patients with OCD reported higher levels of childhood trauma and intolerance of uncertainty compared to healthy controls.
- Physical abuse was significantly associated with OCD symptom severity.
- Intolerance of uncertainty was positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive symptom severity.
- Childhood trauma was linked to intolerance of uncertainty, which partially mediated the relationship with symptom severity.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Diagnosis of OCD should be confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders.
Management
- Assess and address intolerance of uncertainty in patients with OCD.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Monitor symptom severity using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale.
Risks
- Consider the impact of childhood trauma on the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
Patient & Prescribing Data
82 patients diagnosed with OCD aged 18-65 years.
All patients were receiving routine psychiatric treatment at the time of assessment.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize standardized assessment tools for evaluating childhood trauma and intolerance of uncertainty.
- Incorporate findings on childhood trauma and intolerance of uncertainty into individualized treatment plans.
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