Preliminary Analysis of the Factor Structure, Reliability and Validity of an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Screening Tool for Use with Adults in Malaysia.

Normah Che Din,Noh Amit,Zaini Said,Liana Mohd Nawi,Mahadir Ahmad,Ponnusamy Subramaniam,Shazli Ezzat Ghazali,Norhayati Ibrahim

doi:10.3390/ijerph16234763

Abstract

This is a preliminary study to examine the factor structure, reliability, and validity of an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) screening tool for use in the Malaysian setting. A total of 199 Malaysian adults were recruited for this study. After cleaning and normalizing the data, 190 samples were left to be analyzed. Principle component analysis using varimax rotation was then performed to examine various factors derived from psychometric tools commonly used to assess OCD patients. The screening tool exhibited three factors that fit the description of obsessions and compulsions from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—5th Edition (DSM 5), as well as other common symptoms that co-morbid with OCD. The labels given to the three factors were: Severity of Compulsions, Severity of Obsessions, and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety. Reliability analysis showed high reliability with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94, whereas convergent validity of the tool with the Yale Brown Obsessive-compulsive Scale—Self Report demonstrated good validity of r = 0.829. The three-factor model explained 68.91% of the total variance. Subsequent studies should focus on OCD factors that are culturally unique in the Malaysian context. Future research may also use online technology, which is cost-efficient and accessible, to further enhance the screening tool.

Highlights

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of compulsions and/or obsessions [1]
The current study adopted an indigenization approach to examine the OCD symptoms experienced by the Malaysian population by combining items from several psychometric tools commonly used in Malaysia, including the Obsessive-Compulsive
The current study showed a significant correlation between Y-BOCS-SR and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Screening Tool-Malaysia (OCDST-M) (r = 0.829, n = 190, p < 0.01), which demonstrates good validity

Summary

Introduction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of compulsions and/or obsessions [1]. Studies have shown that OCD is capable of causing distress, which leads to profound disabilities in occupational functioning as well as social and familial relationships [2]. OCD are unable to control their anxious thoughts, leading to their need to engage in ritual behaviors, which have a tremendous impact on their quality of life [3]. OCD is said to be caused by an imbalance in the brain of serotonin, which is involved in controlling moods and believed to regulate repetitive behaviors. Screening for mental health problems, such as OCD, is understood to be one of the most important steps in increasing recognition of the problem, as well as to provide better treatment outcomes [4]. OCD affects 1% to 2% of the population in Malaysia across all

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