(PS3-C62) Relations Among the COVID-19 Pandemic, Race, and OCD Symptoms

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increase in obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms (Samuels et al., 2021; Wheaton et al., 2021). Research has found that OC symptoms are more prominent among specific racial groups, such as when Asian and Black participants have endorsed significantly more OC symptoms than White or Hispanic participants (Wu & Wyman, 2016). The current study examined OC symptoms reported by four racial/ethnic groups before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2013 to 2021, undergraduate students (n = 3600) completed questionnaires, including a demographics measure and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R; Foa et al., 2002). Participants self-identified as White (n = 1703), Black (n = 977), Asian (n = 274), or Hispanic (n = 646). Participants were divided into pre-COVID (n = 3001; 2013-2019) and COVID (n = 599; Fall 2020-2021) based on completion date. Spring 2020 data were excluded.

Two-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine associations among race, OC symptoms, and COVID-19 time point, as measured by the OCI-R. When analyzing the OCI-R Total Score, there were significant main effects for COVID-19 (F_{(1, 3592)} = 6.544, p = .011, η²_p = .002) and race (F_{(3, 3592)} = 19.414, p < .001, η²_p = .016), but there was not a significant race x COVID-19 interaction (F_{(3, 3592)} = 2.100, p = .098, η²_p = .002). However, OCI-R subscale analyses revealed significant race x COVID-19 interactions for Washing (F_{(3, 3620)} = 4.515, p = .004, η²_p = .004) and Neutralizing (F_{(3, 3615)} = 4.233, p = .005, η²_p = .004). Both Black (F_{(1, 3620)} = 31.172, p < 0.001, η²_p = .009) and Hispanic (F_{(1, 3620)} = 5.714, p = .017, η²_p  = .002) participants reported significantly greater increases in pre-COVID to COVID Washing symptoms compared to the combined averages of the other three racial/ethnic groups. Namely, Black and Hispanic COVID participants endorsed mean Washing scores that were 39% and 27%, respectively, higher than pre-pandemic means. By comparison, the increase for White participants was 19%. Black participants also reported significantly greater increases in pre-COVID to COVID Neutralizing symptoms compared to the combined averages of the other three racial/ethnic groups.  (F_{(1, 3615)} = 11.320, p < 0.001, η²_p   = .003). Black COVID participants endorsed Neutralizing scores that were 34% higher than pre-COVID; White COVID participants endorsed a 13% lower mean.

These results converge with other data to support that the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a general increase in OC symptoms. However, there appear to be important interactions with self-reported race. For example, Black participants may be especially burdened by elevated washing and neutralizing symptoms since the start of the pandemic. Additional research must actively include minority participants to better understand how OC symptom experience progresses as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. This is an important step in determining how to provide better support during future global emergencies to mitigate their differential impact on the mental health of minority populations.