A self-report version of the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist: Psychometric properties of factor-based scales in three samples

Current research in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) recognizes substantial symptom heterogeneity and emphasizes dimensional assessment of core domains. This study administered a self-report version of the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist to OCD patients (n = 53), non-OCD psychiatric patients (n = 96), and students (n = 419). Factor analyses of category- versus item-level data produced different solutions (4 or 5 vs. 3 factors, respectively), but support a multidimensional framework for OCD symptoms. For between-groups analyses, the two patient groups scored significantly higher than students on nearly all dimensions. However, OCD and non-OCD patients differed significantly only on Symmetry/Ordering symptoms. These findings provide novel data concerning this instrument and suggest that most of its scales may not distinguish OCD patients clearly when administered in this manner. We provide recommendations for improving subsequent self-report versions but caution users not to over-extend its intended use.