Linkovski O, Kalanthroff E, Henik A, Anholt G. Did I turn off the stove? Good inhibitory control can protect from influences of repeated checking.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2013;
44:30-6. [PMID:
22863450 DOI:
10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.07.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by compulsions aimed at reducing anxiety associated with intrusive cognitions. However, compulsive behaviors such as repeated checking were found to increase rather than decrease uncertainty related to obsessive thoughts (e.g., whether the gas stove was turned off). Some recent studies illustrate that OCD patients and their family members have inhibitory deficits, often demonstrated by the stop-signal task. The current study aims to investigate relations between inhibitory control and effects of repeated checking.
METHODS
Fifty-five healthy participants carried out a stop-signal task followed by a repeated-checking task. Additionally, participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires measuring OCD, anxiety and depression symptoms.
RESULTS
Confirming our hypothesis, participants with poor inhibitory capabilities demonstrated greater uncertainty and memory distrust as a consequence of repeated checking than participants with good inhibitory control.
LIMITATIONS
Our findings concern an initial investigation on a sample of healthy participants and should be replicated and extended to clinical populations.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that deficits in inhibitory control may underlie cognitive vulnerability in OCD. An updated model integrating neuropsychological findings with current OCD models is suggested.
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