Keywords
pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder, family accommodation, cognitive behavioral therapy, family intervention, family-based cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention
Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) struggle with obsessions, compulsions, and dysfunctional beliefs, and this can impair normal functioning. Due to the possibility of a lifelong diagnosis of OCD after onset in childhood, pediatric OCD is of special concern in clinical psychology. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an efficacious model for treating pediatric OCD. Nonetheless, what may be overlooked in treatment of a child or adolescent with OCD is the importance of family intervention. Family accommodation (FA), an unhealthy participation of family members in the behaviors of pediatric OCD clients, can be emotionally challenging for the family and detrimental to the child or adolescent with OCD trying to overcome the effects of the disorder. Scientific studies have shown that a decrease in FA may directly relate to a decrease in OCD symptoms. Therefore, educating families on the negative consequences of FA is crucial to pediatric OCD therapy. Evidently, treatment including family intervention can lead to long-term remission for children and adolescents. Considering the benefits of adding supplementary methods to standard CBT for pediatric OCD, recent literature on this topic highlights the need for greater inclusion of the family in the therapy process.
Recommended Citation
Hammond, Marinne
(2024)
"Pediatric Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder: Why Family Intervention Can Help,"
Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: Vol. 16:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/intuition/vol16/iss1/3
