The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Med J. 2021 Jul;42(7):750-760. doi: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.7.20210181.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms and its correlation with the level of perceived stress among the Saudi population.

Methods: In July 2020, a cross-sectional survey of 2909 participants in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak was conducted to collect data related to sociodemographic characteristics and scores on the Brief Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (BOCS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

Results: Most participants were female (73.9%) with a university level of education or higher (81%). The prevalence of new-onset obsessions was 57.8%, compulsions 45.9%, and moderate/high perceived stress 72.4%. New-onset dirt, germs, and virus obsessions were significantly higher among 40-49 age group, employees, housewives, students, quarantine discipliners, and those who spent 20 or more days in quarantine. New-onset hand-washing compulsions were significantly higher among the 30-49 age group. A significantly higher level of perceived stress was reported among those in the 18-29 age group, females, singles, participants with no children, students, non-smokers, those who were unemployed, living with families, diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, living in the northern region, quarantine discipliners, and those who spent 60 or more days in quarantine.

Conclusion: This study revealed a significantly higher prevalence of high perceived stress in respondents with new-onset OCD contamination symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. This implies that a biodisaster is associated with high psychological morbidity.

Keywords: COVID-19; compulsions; obsessions; stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / epidemiology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology*
  • Pandemics
  • Psychological Distress
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Young Adult