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The Role of Parental Perceptions of Tic Frequency and Intensity in Predicting Tic-Related Functional Impairment in Youth with Chronic Tic Disorders

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Abstract

Tic severity is composed of several dimensions. Tic frequency and intensity are two such dimensions, but little empirical data exist regarding their relative contributions to functional impairment in those with chronic tic disorders (CTD). The present study examined the relative contributions of these dimensions in predicting tic-related impairment across several psychosocial domains. Using data collected from parents of youth with CTD, multivariate regression analyses revealed that both tic frequency and intensity predicted tic-related impairment in several areas; including family and peer relationships, school interference, and social endeavors, even when controlling for the presence of comorbid anxiety symptoms and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnostic status. Results showed that tic intensity predicted more variance across more domains than tic frequency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 224 Garland Hall, 2441 E. Hartford Ave, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA

    Flint M. Espil & Matthew R. Capriotti

  2. Rhode Island Hospital/Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Christine A. Conelea

  3. Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Douglas W. Woods

Authors
  1. Flint M. Espil
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  2. Matthew R. Capriotti
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  3. Christine A. Conelea
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  4. Douglas W. Woods
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Correspondence to Flint M. Espil.

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Espil, F.M., Capriotti, M.R., Conelea, C.A. et al. The Role of Parental Perceptions of Tic Frequency and Intensity in Predicting Tic-Related Functional Impairment in Youth with Chronic Tic Disorders. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 45, 657–665 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-013-0434-2

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