Clinical Correlates and Mediators of Self-Concept in Youth with Chronic Tic Disorders

Camille E Hanks; Joseph F McGuire; Adam B Lewin; Eric A Storch; Tanya K Murphy

doi:10.1007/s10578-015-0544-0

Clinical Correlates and Mediators of Self-Concept in Youth with Chronic Tic Disorders

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2016 Feb;47(1):64-74. doi: 10.1007/s10578-015-0544-0.

Authors

Camille E Hanks¹, Joseph F McGuire^{1

2}, Adam B Lewin^{1

2

3}, Eric A Storch^{1

2

3

4

5

6}, Tanya K Murphy^{7

8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, 880 6th Street South, Suite 460, Box 7523, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA.
² Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
³ Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
⁴ Rogers Behavioral Health - Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL, USA.
⁵ All Children's Hospital - Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, FL, USA.
⁶ Department of Health Policy and Management, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
⁷ Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, 880 6th Street South, Suite 460, Box 7523, St. Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA. tmurphy@health.usf.edu.
⁸ Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA. tmurphy@health.usf.edu.
⁹ All Children's Hospital - Johns Hopkins Medicine, St. Petersburg, FL, USA. tmurphy@health.usf.edu.

Abstract

This study investigated the clinical correlates and mediators of self-concept in youth with Chronic Tic Disorders (CTD). Ninety-seven youth aged 6-17 (M = 11.1 ± 2.89; 79.4 % male) with CTD were administered the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale-Second Edition, and self-report and clinician-administered measures assessing behavioral and psychological difficulties and comorbid conditions. Youth with CTD had a slightly below average level of self-concept, with 20 % (n = 19) exhibiting low self-concept. Youth with CTD-only had greater self-concept relative to youth with CTD and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (p = 0.04) or CTD, OCD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined (p = 0.009). Medium-to-large-sized associations were observed between youth's self-concept and clinical characteristics (e.g., severity of ADHD, OCD and depressive symptoms). Youth's self-concept partially mediated the relationship between tic severity and depressive symptom severity, and the interaction between tic impairment and youth's reliance on avoidant coping strategies moderated youth's self-concept. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future interventions are discussed.

Keywords: Avoidance; Chronic Tic Disorders; Depression; Self-concept; Tourette Disorder.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
Child
Chronic Disease
Defense Mechanisms
Depression
Female
Humans
Male
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis
Self Concept*
Tic Disorders / diagnosis*
Tic Disorders / psychology*
Tourette Syndrome / diagnosis*
Tourette Syndrome / psychology*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding