Moderating Effect of Family Accommodation on the Relation between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Severity and Relationship Satisfaction

Severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with increased relationship distress and decreased relationship satisfaction. The loved ones of individuals with OCD often engage in family accommodation (FA) behaviors that serve the same function as compulsive behavior engaged in by the individual with OCD. The current study aims to expand the literature by examining target variables from the perspective of the individual with OCD. Participants included 139 adults with self-reported OCD who were in a romantic relationship. A treatment and non-treatment seeking sample was recruited in the US through clinics and clinicians specializing in OCD treatment. Results indicated the following: (1) a significant positive association between OCD symptom severity and FA, (2) a significant negative association between OCD symptom severity and relationship satisfaction, and (3) an interaction between FA and OCD symptom severity when predicting relationship satisfaction such that FA moderates the negative association between OCD and relationship satisfaction. At high levels of OCD symptom severity, FA was found to be negatively associated with relationship satisfaction; however, at low levels of OCD symptom severity, FA was positively associated with relationship satisfaction. Findings suggest the importance of addressing family accommodation in treatment of individuals with OCD, especially at higher levels of severity.