COVID-19-related Obsessions and Compulsions after the Full Control of the Pandemic: A Sample of the Nonpsychiatric Saudi Young Adults

Abstract

Abstract Background: Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), contamination type has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, whether these symptoms would decrease after introducing the vaccines is unknown. Thus, this study examined the prevalence of COVID-19-related OCD among young adults who had never been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder after fully controlling the pandemic. Methods: A sample of 351 young adults from all Saudi regions, whose ages ranged from 18-year-old to 25-year-old, were collected virtually in March and April 2022, via using an Arabic online survey that was distributed through social networks which included socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related items, and COVID-19-related obsessions and compulsions assessment items. Results: Most of the participants were females (83.2%), had received the 3rd dose of the vaccine (69.80%), and reported having no obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors related to COVID-19 (91.5%, 96.6%). Despite this, males still had lower scores of OCD symptoms related to COVID-19 compared to females (9.98 vs. 14.29). The results also show that the mean scores of OCD symptoms decreased with each vaccine shot, 16.80 ± 18.91, 14.12 ± 10.85, and 13.27 ± 11.27 for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd doses, respectively. Conclusion: Introducing the COVID-19 vaccine may reduce the onsets of obsessions and compulsive behaviors related to contamination. Some compulsive behaviors might be considered the new normal as they do not cause functional impairment.