How does locus of control and inflated sense of responsibility relate to obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Turkish adolescents?

A Transdiagnostic Model for Depression, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

ABSTRACT

Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxiety disorders (ADs) can seriously impair functionality. Studies have shown that there are common mechanisms in the emergence of these disorders. This study discussed unpredictability beliefs, family unpredictability, locus of control, intolerance of uncertainty, emotional regulation difficulties, and coping styles. In this study, a model created with these transdiagnostic variables that play a role in the emergence of depression, OCD, and ADs was tested. The sample of the study consisted of 795 people. The model explained a significant part of the variance in psychological symptoms. In addition to various limitations, it is thought that this study has important contributions to the field by examining the relationships between unpredictability beliefs and various variables for the first time, and bringing together many transdiagnostic factors related to psychological symptoms. In addition, it provides valuable information for clinicians as it provides a basis for intervention programs targeting many transdiagnostic mechanisms.

What's control got to do with it? A systematic review of control beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Current conceptualizations of control-related beliefs in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have largely been limited to beliefs about the need to control thoughts. Although growing evidence supports the notion of considering broader control-related constructs in this disorder, there has been limited research aimed at integrating findings across studies, making it difficult to determine how different control-related beliefs may influence OCD symptoms. The current review sought to systematically analyze findings from all studies investigating the relationship between control beliefs and OCD. The systematic search identified 157 eligible articles that assessed the relationship between control beliefs and OCD symptoms. Results suggested that certain control beliefs (e.g., importance of/need to control of thoughts, sense of control, beliefs about losing control) may be more closely associated with OCD than others (e.g., locus of control, and desire for control). In general, control beliefs were positively associated with OCD, with effect sizes ranging from small to large depending on the symptom domain. Based on limited studies, the only control belief which demonstrated specificity to OCD was ICT. Findings support the importance of integrating additional control beliefs in conceptualizations of OCD and provide evidence to support the benefits of targeting these beliefs in cognitive behavioural therapy.

Health beliefs, behaviors, and symptoms associated with orthorexia nervosa

PURPOSE

This research explored whether symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (ON), a condition involving obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors regarding healthy eating, are associated with differences pertaining to use of nutritional supplements and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques, to health locus of control, and to symptoms of poor physical health.

METHOD

An anonymous online survey assessing the variables above was completed by college students at a university in the southern United States: 47 in the ON symptoms group, 50 in the healthy-eating control group, and 83 in the normal-eating control group.

RESULTS

Compared to both control groups, the ON symptoms group reported greater supplement use and CAM participation, more reasons for these behaviors for the purpose of improving psychological health (i.e., to increase energy, enhance focus, and improve mood), and greater symptoms associated with poor physical health. None of the groups differed on internal or external health locus of control.

CONCLUSION

For those with ON, "healthy" eating behaviors are accompanied by other health behaviors that include supplement use and CAM activities. However, despite their goal of achieving perfect health, these individuals experience diminished physical health with symptoms that may be related to their severe dietary restrictions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Perceived Parental Rearing Behaviours, Responsibility Attitudes and Life Events as Predictors of Obsessive Compulsive Symptomatology: Test of a Cognitive Model

Background: It is important to investigate the role of cognitive, developmental and environmental factors in the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Symptomatology (OCS). Aims: The main objective of this study was to examine the vulnerability factors of OCS in a non-clinical sample. On the basis of Salkovskis’ cognitive model of OCD, the study aimed to investigate the role of perceived parental rearing behaviours, responsibility attitudes, and life events in predicting OCS. Furthermore, the mediator role of responsibility attitudes in the relationship between perceived parental rearing behaviours and OCS was examined. Finally, the specificity of these variables to OCS was evaluated by examining the relationship of the same variables with depression and trait anxiety. Method: A total of 300 university students (M = 19.55±1.79) were administered the Padua Inventory-Washington State University Revision, Responsibility Attitudes Scale, s-EMBU (My memories of upbringing), Life Events Inventory for University Students, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Form. Results: Regression analysis revealed that perceived mother overprotection, responsibility attitudes and life events significantly predicted OCS. Furthermore, responsibility attitudes mediated the relationship between perceived mother overprotection and OCS. The predictive role of perceived mother overprotection and the mediator role responsibility attitudes were OCS specific. Conclusions: The findings of the present study supported that perceived mother over-protection as a developmental vulnerability factor significantly contributed to the explanation of a cognitive vulnerability factor (namely responsibility attitudes), and perceived maternal overprotection had its predictive role for OCS through responsibility attitudes.

Locus of Control in Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) and Depression Symptoms: The Moderating Effect of Externality on Obsessive-Related Control Beliefs in OC Symptoms

Although the role of excessive efforts to exert mental control over one's unwanted intrusive thoughts has been successfully explained and documented in the cognitive-behavioural models of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), individual's beliefs regarding the controllability of events, that is, locus of control (LOC), have been largely ignored in recent cognitive formulations of OCD. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between these two control-related cognitions by comparing their roles in obsessive–compulsive (OC) and depression symptoms. Measures of LOC, obsessive-related beliefs, depression, anxiety and OCD symptoms were administered to a sample of 530 Turkish university students. Results showed that while external LOC was positively associated with depression symptoms, the relation was different for OC symptoms. The interaction of LOC with a high desire for thought control was significantly associated with general OC symptoms, particularly with checking symptoms. The findings suggest that beliefs regarding the controllability of events are critical factors in OC symptomatology, but only when there is also a high desire of thought control.

How does thought-action fusion relate to responsibility attitudes and thought suppression to aggravate the obsessive-compulsive symptoms?

BACKGROUND

Comprehensive cognitive theories of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) propose that clinical obsessions and compulsions arise from specific sorts of dysfunctional beliefs and appraisals, such as inflated sense of responsibility, thought-action fusion (TAF), and thought suppression.

AIMS

The present study aimed to examine the mediator roles of responsibility and thought suppression between TAF and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Specifically, it aimed to explore the relative effects of TAF factors (i.e. morality and likelihood) on inflated sense of responsibility and on thought suppression to increase the obsessive qualities of intrusions.

METHOD

Two hundred and eighty-three Turkish undergraduate students completed a battery of measures on responsibility, thought suppression, TAF, OC symptoms, and depression.

RESULTS

A series of hierarchical regression analyses, where depressive symptoms were controlled for, indicated that TAF-morality and TAF-likelihood follow different paths toward OC symptoms. Although TAF-morality associated with inflated sense of responsibility, TAF-likelihood associated with thought suppression efforts, and in turn these factors increased OC symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide support for the critical role of sense of responsibility and thought suppression between the relationship of TAF and OC symptoms. Findings were discussed in line with the literature.