Comparison of Psychopathology and Personality Traits in Three Groups of Mothers of Children With Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Healthy Group

The aim of the study was to compare personality traits and psychopathology in three groups of mothers of children with Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and healthy group. This research was designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants were comprised of 93 mothers (35 in anxiety group, 27 in obsessive group, and 31 in healthy group) which were selected by available sampling. Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID-I) and NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-60) were administrated to measure the study variables. Results indicated that there is a significant difference (P<0.001) in the psychopathology of mothers under anxiety, obsession and healthy groups; however, this significant difference was not found between mothers in anxiety and obsession groups. Results also indicated a significant difference in mean scores of mothers in healthy group and mothers in anxiety and obsession groups especially neuroticism and openness to experience traits. Analysis of variance post hoc test showed that extraversion and openness to experience traits were significantly different in mothers of children with obsessive-compulsive disorder as compared to mothers of children with anxiety disorders and healthy group. With reference to, psychopathology and neuroticism trait, findings showed that significant difference between mothers in anxiety and obsession group and mothers in healthy group. Thus, results of this study marked that considering parent’s psychopathology in prevention and treatment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders in children may be of great importance.