Cross‐sectional direct and indirect relationships between the corrupted feared self and obsessive–compulsive symptoms in a clinical sample: The role of mental contamination.

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Title: Cross‐sectional direct and indirect relationships between the corrupted feared self and obsessive–compulsive symptoms in a clinical sample: The role of mental contamination.
Authors: Khosravani, Vahid, Samimi Ardestani, Seyed Mehdi, Wong, Shiu Fung, Moulding, Richard, Aardema, Frederick, Sharifibastan, Farangis, Aminaee, Mohammad
Source: British Journal of Clinical Psychology. Nov2023, Vol. 62 Issue 4, p800-815. 16p.
Subjects: Thought & thinking, Touch, Self-perception, Cross-sectional method, Psychology, Fear, Conceptual models, Questionnaires, Descriptive statistics, Mental depression, Research funding, Emotions, Path analysis (Statistics), Hand washing, Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Geographic Terms: Iran
Abstract: Objectives: There is a significant relationship between a general feared self and contact contamination concerns in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), especially when the influence of mental contamination is considered a part of this relationship. However, these associations have not been explored in a clinical OCD sample when using each dimension of the multidimensional conceptualization of the feared self as the predictor (i.e., the corrupted, culpable, and malformed feared selves). Methods: We tested these associations using a cross‐sectional design. Specifically, a sample of patients diagnosed with OCD (N = 417) completed a series of self‐report measures of OCD symptoms and its related constructs. We also explored these associations with unacceptable thoughts as the outcome, rather than contamination concerns, due to unacceptable thoughts having evidenced strong associations with the feared self and mental contamination. Results: After controlling for relevant cognitive (i.e., obsessive beliefs) and affective (i.e., depressive symptoms) constructs and comorbidity, the corrupted feared self was found to have a direct link, along with an indirect link through mental contamination, with symptoms of contact contamination and unacceptable thoughts. Conclusions: The fear of being corrupted may be associated with feelings of contamination in the absence of direct contact with a contaminant, which may then predict OCD symptoms of repugnant obsessional thoughts and contact contamination concerns. The corrupted feared self and mental contamination should therefore be targeted in treatments for repugnant obsessions and contamination‐related OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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Abstract:Objectives: There is a significant relationship between a general feared self and contact contamination concerns in obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), especially when the influence of mental contamination is considered a part of this relationship. However, these associations have not been explored in a clinical OCD sample when using each dimension of the multidimensional conceptualization of the feared self as the predictor (i.e., the corrupted, culpable, and malformed feared selves). Methods: We tested these associations using a cross‐sectional design. Specifically, a sample of patients diagnosed with OCD (N = 417) completed a series of self‐report measures of OCD symptoms and its related constructs. We also explored these associations with unacceptable thoughts as the outcome, rather than contamination concerns, due to unacceptable thoughts having evidenced strong associations with the feared self and mental contamination. Results: After controlling for relevant cognitive (i.e., obsessive beliefs) and affective (i.e., depressive symptoms) constructs and comorbidity, the corrupted feared self was found to have a direct link, along with an indirect link through mental contamination, with symptoms of contact contamination and unacceptable thoughts. Conclusions: The fear of being corrupted may be associated with feelings of contamination in the absence of direct contact with a contaminant, which may then predict OCD symptoms of repugnant obsessional thoughts and contact contamination concerns. The corrupted feared self and mental contamination should therefore be targeted in treatments for repugnant obsessions and contamination‐related OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:01446657
DOI:10.1111/bjc.12440