An examination of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and dimensions using profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS)

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Highlights

  • Profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS) was utilized to characterize the typical profile on a major assessment of obsessive-compulsive beliefs.

  • In Study 1, using a large student sample, it was found that the typical respondent had elevated scores on the subscale for control over thoughts, and low scores on perfectionism.

  • In Study 2, using samples of individuals with OCD, other anxiety disorders, and a student group, all respondents scored higher on inflated responsibility compared to other subscales.

  • These findings have important implications for the cognitive model of OCD.

Abstract

Contemporary cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) emphasize the importance of various types of dysfunctional beliefs in contributing to OC symptoms, such as beliefs about excessive personal responsibility, perfectionism, and intolerance for uncertainty. The present study seeks to further our understanding of the role of these beliefs by identifying the common profiles of such beliefs, using profile analysis via multidimensional scaling (PAMS). In Study 1, a large student sample (N = 4079) completed the 44-item obsessive beliefs questionnaire. One major profile, control of thoughts and perfectionism, was extracted. Study 2 examined profiles of the 87-item obsessive beliefs questionnaire in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; n = 398), other anxiety disorders (n = 104), and a sample of undergraduate students (n = 285). Inflated responsibility was a prominent subscale in the profiles of all three groups. Only control over thoughts was a unique subscale in the profile obtained for the OCD group, with this group having lower scores compared to the other groups. The results suggest that while inflated responsibility is a significant subscale in the profile of individuals with OCD, it is not a unique contributor; instead, control over thoughts is unique to OCD. The data, as well as recent research investigating obsessive beliefs, suggest the need to revise the contemporary cognitive model of OCD.

Section snippets

Participants

Contemporary models of OCD propose that OC-related beliefs occur, and are correlated with, OC symptoms in the general population. Accordingly, in our first study the sample consisted of 4079 undergraduate university students, of which 67% were women. The mean age was 19 years (SD = 2 years). Data on ethnicity was not systematically collected, although the sample was predominantly White. Participants were recruited from the following sites: SUNY Binghamton University (n = 3066), Florida State

Study 2

Study 1 identified one major profile of OC-related beliefs. The extent to which this profile exists among individuals with OCD, compared with those with other anxiety disorders, would further shed light on the specificity of the profiles in the conceptualization of the disorder. Study 2 was therefore conducted to identify and compare the standardized profiles in individuals with OCD, people with other anxiety disorders, and students.

Discussion

These two studies were the first to utilize PAMS in determining profiles of scores for measures of OC-related dysfunctional beliefs. The findings from Study 1 are consistent with prior research suggesting that there are several prominent subscales of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Taylor, McKay, & Abramowitz, 2005). Contemporary cognitive models suggest that inflated responsibility plays an important role in producing OC symptoms (see Taylor, Abramowitz, & McKay, 2007 for a discussion). In the

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the Obsessive-Compulsive Cognitions Workgroup for providing a portion of the data used in this study.

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