The effect of trauma on the severity of obsessive-compulsive spectrum symptoms: A meta-analysis

- Past trauma and current Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum (OCS) symptoms were examined.
- Past trauma is associated with more severe OCS symptoms, particularly compulsions.
- The relation between trauma and OCS symptom severity is stronger for females.
- Multiple types of interpersonal trauma are associated with OCS symptom severity.

It is important to consider trauma-related sequelae in the etiology and maintenance of psychopathology, namely understudied disorders such as those belonging to the Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum (OCS). This meta-analysis examined the association between past trauma exposure and current severity of OCS disorder symptoms. A systematic literature search was conducted with 24 (N = 4557) articles meeting inclusion criteria. A significant overall effect size was obtained (r = 0.20), indicating that exposure to past trauma is associated with a higher severity of OCS symptoms, with a stronger association for females (β = 0.01, p < .001) but not varying as a function of relationship status. Four types of interpersonal trauma (violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect) were associated with OCS symptom severity (r = 0.19 −0.24) and past trauma was significantly associated with more severe compulsions (r = 0.17), but not obsessions. Results suggest an important link between multiple types of past trauma exposure and OCS symptoms.