(PS7-14) How Loneliness and Quality of Life Mediate OCD and Depression in Latin American Communities

OCD is a chronically impairing mental health condition with commonly co-occurring depressive symptoms, further impairing quality of life (QoL). Existing literature supports higher ratings of loneliness for individuals with prevalent mental health disorders (e.g., OCD and depression) than for those without psychiatric disorders (Meltzer et al., 2013; Stickley & Koyanagi, 2016). While the bi-directional relationship between loneliness and depression is well-established, that between loneliness and OCD is limited (Akçay et al., 2022; van Winkel et al., 2017). Moreover, existing research rarely addresses these relationships in underrepresented populations, such as those of Latin American, Hispanic, or Brazilian ancestry. This study aims to bridge these gaps by examining the serial mediation effects of loneliness and QoL on the relationship between OCD symptom severity and depressive symptoms in Latino and Hispanic (L/H) individuals. The current study used data from the Latin American Trans-ancestry INitiative for OCD genomics (LATINO), a 45-site NIH-funded study across 13 countries. Participants self-identified as being of Latino, Hispanic, or Brazilian ancestry and completed validated measures of OCD symptom severity, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and QoL. OCD severity was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, Second Edition (YBOCS-II). The UCLA 3-item Loneliness Scale was used to measure loneliness. Depressive symptoms were self-reported via the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Finally, QOL was measured using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (QLES-Q). Serial mediation analyses were conducted to assess the indirect effects of loneliness and QoL on the relationship between OCD symptom severity and depressive symptoms, controlling for demographic and clinical covariates. Findings revealed a partial serial mediation effect. Greater OCD symptom severity was associated with heightened loneliness, negatively impacting QoL. Reduced QoL subsequently exacerbated depressive symptoms. Results showed a significant indirect effect of OCD severity on depression via loneliness and QoL (b = .057, Boot SE = .0068, Boot 95% CI = .045 - .071). The direct effect of OCD symptom severity on depression, even in the presence of mediators, remained significant (b = .14, p < .000). Collectively, loneliness and QoL accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in depressive symptomatology. Results support loneliness and QoL as interconnected pathways linking OCD symptom severity to depressive symptoms in L/H individuals. Addressing social isolation and enhancing life satisfaction may mitigate the risk of depression and improve mental health outcomes in this underserved population. These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive, comprehensive treatment strategies that account for the unique sociocultural context of L/H communities. Future research should explore additional mediators, such as genetic influences, to develop holistic models of care. This study advances our understanding of the interplay between OCD symptomatology, loneliness, QoL, and depression, offering valuable insights for clinical practice and guiding future investigations.