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. 2022 Jan;27(1):18-34.
doi: 10.1177/13591045211028169. Epub 2021 Jun 25.

The COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people: Systematic review

Catherine Cunning  1 , Matthew Hodes  1   2
Affiliations

The COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people: Systematic review

Catherine Cunning et al. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world since the first cases were reported in China in January 2020. The secondary mental health impacts of the pandemic are thought to be significant. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition defined by recurrent obsessions and compulsions. It has been hypothesised that the focus on hygiene and contamination during the pandemic could exacerbate obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young people.

Method: A systematic literature review was conducted. Papers were sought looking at the effect of the pandemic on obsessive-compulsive disorder in young people.

Results: Six published cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were identified, of which four studies investigated clinic samples with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and two looked at community adolescent populations. Five out of the six studies found that obsessive-compulsive symptoms were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be associated with a worsening of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young people. Being in treatment seems to have a protective effect. Maintaining mental health services during a pandemic is vital. It is important to be aware of the implications of pandemic on obsessive-compulsive symptoms in young people in order to allow them to access appropriate treatments. More research is needed in this area.

Keywords: COVID-19; Obsessive–compulsive disorder; adolescent health; child health; obsessive–compulsive symptoms; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
COVID-19 pandemic and obsessive–compulsive disorder in young people – study selection process.
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