A cross-sectional comparison of routinized and compulsive-like behaviours in typical children aged from 2 to 11 years

• Published in: European journal of developmental psychology Vol. 9; no. 5; pp. 614 - 630
• Main Authors: Glenn, Sheila, Cunningham, Cliff, Nananidou, Angela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hove Psychology Press 01-09-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child development; Children & youth; Development; Developmental psychology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Neuroses; Obsessive-compulsive behaviour; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Routinized behaviours; Typical children; Human; Preschool age; Routinized behaviours; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Obsessive-compulsive behaviour; Typical children; Preadolescent; School age; Compulsion; Development; Behavior; Child; Comparative study
• ISSN: 1740-5629; 1740-5610
• DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2011.639139

Routinized and compulsive like behaviours (RCBs) have been described as important aspects of development seen universally in children, yet investigation is relatively scarce. One exception was the development of the Childhood Routines Inventory (CRI), which has prompted recent studies. The present study was a replication of the standardization for the CRI on a British sample and with an extended age range. It also explored possible associations with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The parents of 1,369 children (aged 2-11 years) completed the CRI, and an 8-item OCD scale for those 7 years and over. Socioeconomic status (SES) was measured by proxy post codes; 111 parents completed the questionnaire twice. The CRI had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. There was a significant linear decline in RCBs with age; a minority of children continued to have high levels up to 11 years of age. Children designated at risk for OCD had higher CRI scores. Anxious behaviours reported by parents of children aged 7 years or over were associated with higher levels of RCBs. Factor analysis of the CRI identified three factors: "Repetitive", "Just Right" and "Sensitivity".