The Beliefs About Memory Inventory (BAMI) and Its Ability to Predict Compulsive Checking

One of the most common compulsions in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is repeated checking. Negative beliefs about memory ability have previously been shown to cause and to be predictive of checking behaviour. This suggests they represent an important belief domain that should be assessed and targeted in psychological treatments for OCD. Beliefs about the importance and reliability of memory may also relate to checking. These beliefs have yet to be investigated, however, and a measure to assess these constructs is warranted. Thus, the purpose of this pair of studies was to develop the Beliefs about Memory Inventory (BAMI).

In Study 1, participants were non-clinical undergraduates (n = 760) and a small sample of clinical participants with OCD who reported primary checking concerns (n = 24). They completed the potential BAMI items, along with measures of OCD symptoms, beliefs, and related psychopathology domains.

An exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor solution with items pertaining to (1) beliefs about memory ability (MA) and (2) beliefs about memory importance (MI). Given the low number of items in the MI factor, a second iteration of the BAMI was developed (Study 2). It was completed by undergraduate students (n = 483) in order to assess the updated version. The final version of the self-report questionnaire had the same two factors and exhibited strong psychometric properties. BAMI factors were predictive of checking symptoms over and above previously known OCD belief domains related to checking, including inflated responsibility and overestimation of threat.

The BAMI holds promise for both research and clinical use. Results are discussed within the framework of cognitive theory of and treatments for OCD.