Andrea Pozza

What does best evidence tell us about the efficacy of group cognitive–behavioral therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder? Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Group cognitive–behavioral therapy (GCBT) may be a cost-effective alternative modality for the treatment of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In the last decade, a great deal of research has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GCBT for OCD. Despite promising results, studies have produced inconclusive evidence. The current paper will present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of GCBT compared with control conditions or individual CBT at post-treatment and follow-up on OCD symptoms, anxiety, depression, obsessive beliefs, quality of life, and functioning. Another aim will be to compare the levels of early drop out from GCBT relative to control conditions or individual CBT. Finally, the study will investigate potential outcome moderators (age, sex, OCD severity, severity of concurrent depression, comorbid personality disorders, duration of OCD symptom onset, duration of treatment, intensity of treatment, generation cohort, methodological quality, and publication date). A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines will be conducted using random-effects meta-analyses. Online databases and trial registries will be searched, the corresponding authors will be contacted, and conference proceedings and relevant journals will be hand-searched to locate published and unpublished studies. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool.

Religious Affiliation and Obsessive Cognitions and Symptoms: A Comparison Between Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Non-Clinical Groups in Italy

Growing interest has been dedicated by researchers on obsessive–compulsive disorder across different religious affiliations. Increasing migration in Italy is making the country progressively multireligious but is a relatively new phenomenon, consequently this research area is still young. The present study aimed at examining differences on obsessive–compulsive (OC) cognitions and symptoms between Jews, Christians, and Muslims living in Italy. Another purpose was to investigate whether potential differences on these OC features between groups could be moderated by the level of religiosity. Three hundred fifty-four nonclinical individuals, including Jews (n = 97), Christians (n = 139), and Muslims (n = 118), completed the OBQ-87, the III, the PI, the BAI, and the BDI-II. After controlling for anxiety and depression, Muslims had more severe OC symptoms and cognitions compared to Jews and Christians. Conversely, the level of religiosity did not appear to be significantly associated with OC symptoms and cognitions severity. Theoretical explanations and clinical implications are discussed.

The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV): Further Evidence on Confirmatory Factor Analytic Structure, Incremental and Criterion Validity in Italian Community Children and Adolescents ☆

ABSTRACT Obsessive Compulsive Inventory‐Child Version (OCI‐CV) assesses six dimensions of OCD symptoms in childhood and adolescence. The current study used confirmatory methods to assess factor structure and reliability of the Italian OCI‐CV in community children and adolescents. 1408 community children and adolescents completed the OCI‐CV and a subgroup (n = 855) completed measures of other anxiety and depression symptoms. A six correlated factor structure showed good fit. Reliability was excellent for total OCI‐CV and for the other scales ranged from good to acceptable. The OCI‐CV confirmed good properties in terms of factor structure and reliability.