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Relationship Between Obsessive Beliefs and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between symptom presentation in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and dysfunctional beliefs hypothesized to relate to OCD. Five-hundred sixty two undergraduates completed self-report measures of OCD symptoms and OCD-related beliefs, as well as measures of social anxiety and depression. The tendency to overestimate threat significantly predicted the OCD symptom domains of washing, checking/doubting, obsessing, mental neutralizing, and hoarding. Perceived need to control one's thoughts predicted obsessing. Perceived importance of thoughts predicted neutralizing. Perfectionism beliefs predicted ordering. Although the relationship between dysfunctional beliefs and OCD remained significant when controlling for social anxiety and depression, Threat Estimation and Perfectionism showed a moderate relationship with these variables as well. Thus, although some dysfunctional beliefs show a specific relationship to OCD, others may reflect broader forms of psychopathology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut

    David F. Tolin

  2. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    Carol M. Woods

  3. Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota

    Jonathan S. Abramowitz

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  1. David F. Tolin
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  2. Carol M. Woods
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  3. Jonathan S. Abramowitz
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Correspondence to David F. Tolin.

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Tolin, D.F., Woods, C.M. & Abramowitz, J.S. Relationship Between Obsessive Beliefs and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms. Cognitive Therapy and Research 27, 657–669 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026351711837

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