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Doctor of Clinical Psychology / Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms occur in a variety of clinical conditions, but the underlying pathogenesis of these symptoms remains elusive. Few neuropsychological investigations have compared idiopathic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with patient groups where OC symptoms are acquired. The present study investigated the neuropsychological correlates of OC symptoms in OCD and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative illness in which OC symptoms are often acquired. Neuroimaging in OCD has consistently implicated the frontal-striatal-thalamic circuit, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia. These areas overlap considerably with the sites of cerebral pathology found in FTD. OCD has been associated with a number of neuropsychological deficits, with most consistent findings pointing towards impaired executive function (EF), and less commonly reported deficits in visual memory and visuospatial ability. The neuropsychological hallmark of FTD is deficits in EF. However in both OCD and FTD, the relationship between cognitive deficits and OC symptoms remains unclear. Further, the extent to which OC symptoms are comparable between the groups is ambiguous. Part I of the present study compared 19 OCD subjects to 20 age, education and IQ-matched healthy controls on a battery of neuropsychological tests of all major cognitive domains with emphasis on EF. A measure of Theory of Mind (ToM) thought to be sensitive to orbitofrontal function was also administered. OCD subjects performed worse than controls on a measure of visual memory, visuospatial reasoning and on only one measure of EF. OCD symptom subtypes, as measured by the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI), were not correlated with any cognitive deficits. No group differences in ToM were found. It is suggested that prior research has overestimated the severity and significance of EF deficits in OCD. Part II of the study compared 9 FTD participants with 10 matched healthy controls on the same neuropsychological test battery and OC symptom measures. In addition, a measure of compulsive behaviours used in neurological populations was administered to carers. While the incidence of OC symptoms was comparable to reports in previous studies (78%), the OCI was not sensitive in the detection of OC symptoms in FTD. The similarities and differences in OC symptoms between the two patient groups are discussed.

Doctor of Clinical Psychology / Obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms occur in a variety of clinical conditions, but the underlying pathogenesis of these symptoms remains elusive. Few neuropsychological investigations have compared idiopathic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with patient groups where OC symptoms are acquired. The present study investigated the neuropsychological correlates of OC symptoms in OCD and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative illness in which OC symptoms are often acquired. Neuroimaging in OCD has consistently implicated the frontal-striatal-thalamic circuit, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia. These areas overlap considerably with the sites of cerebral pathology found in FTD. OCD has been associated with a number of neuropsychological deficits, with most consistent findings pointing towards impaired executive function (EF), and less commonly reported deficits in visual memory and visuospatial ability. The neuropsychological hallmark of FTD is deficits in EF. However in both OCD and FTD, the relationship between cognitive deficits and OC symptoms remains unclear. Further, the extent to which OC symptoms are comparable between the groups is ambiguous. Part I of the present study compared 19 OCD subjects to 20 age, education and IQ-matched healthy controls on a battery of neuropsychological tests of all major cognitive domains with emphasis on EF. A measure of Theory of Mind (ToM) thought to be sensitive to orbitofrontal function was also administered. OCD subjects performed worse than controls on a measure of visual memory, visuospatial reasoning and on only one measure of EF. OCD symptom subtypes, as measured by the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI), were not correlated with any cognitive deficits. No group differences in ToM were found. It is suggested that prior research has overestimated the severity and significance of EF deficits in OCD. Part II of the study compared 9 FTD participants with 10 matched healthy controls on the same neuropsychological test battery and OC symptom measures. In addition, a measure of compulsive behaviours used in neurological populations was administered to carers. While the incidence of OC symptoms was comparable to reports in previous studies (78%), the OCI was not sensitive in the detection of OC symptoms in FTD. The similarities and differences in OC symptoms between the two patient groups are discussed.

Although forgiveness has been associated with reduced anxiety in several studies, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder, the potential association between forgiveness and obsessive-compulsiveness has been generally unexplored. The current study examined the association between three dimensions of forgiveness and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms as mediated by locus of control (LOC) in a college student sample (N = 241). Forgiveness of self (FS) and of others, but not feeling forgiven by God, were associated with overall OC symptoms and with a majority of symptom subscales. LOC was limited in its role as a mediator that was restricted to associations with FS. Furthermore, LOC-Chance was the only dimension found to be a specific mediator, as control attributed internally and to powerful others did not mediate any of the forgiveness-OC associations. These findings are discussed in the context of both past and future research related to forgiveness, obsessive-compulsiveness, and control constructs.

This cross-sectional exploratory study considered the associations between mindfulness and symptoms of anxiety. The participants in this study were 183 undergraduate students at a regional university in the southeastern United States. The general hypothesis was that higher levels of mindfulness would be associated with lower levels of anxiety. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine the association between a variety of aspects of mindfulness and symptoms of anxiety while controlling for a variety of demographic and historical variables, including previous experience with meditation. Results suggest that not all aspects of mindfulness were related to anxiety. Of the 12 specific aspects of mindfulness measured, Cognition, Affect, Act with Awareness, and Nonjudge were the most common predictors of anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, and stress. Continued research is warranted, including basic relationships, as well as longitudinal and interventional designs.

The main objective of this study was to examine the vulnerability factors of Obsessive Compulsive Symptomatology (OCS) in a non-clinical sample. On the basis of Salkovskis&rsquo / cognitive model of OCD, the present study aimed to investigate the role of perceived parental rearing behaviors, responsibility attitudes, and life events in predicting OCS. Furthermore, the mediator role of responsibility attitudes in the relationship between perceived parental rearing behaviors and OCS was examined. Finally, the specificity of these variables to OCS was evaluated by examining the relationship of the same variables to depression and trait anxiety. Analysis of covariance results showed that subjects with higher OCS scores perceived their mothers&rsquo / and fathers&rsquo / rearing behaviors as more overprotective than the subjects with lower OCS scores. The results of the regression analysis showed 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 was found to be OCS specific. On the other hand, for depression, perceived mother rejection and father emotional warmth, and for trait anxiety, perceived mother emotional warmth had significant predictive effects. While responsibility attitudes were found to be a common predictor for OCS and trait anxiety, its mediator role was OCS specific. OCS, depression and trait anxiety were all significantly predicted by life events. The results of the study were discussed within the relevant literature, and limitations of the study, suggestions for future studies, and clinical implications of the findings were presented.

The main aim of the present study was to better understand the influence of nationality/religious affiliation and degree of religious devoutness on OCD symptoms, more specifically scrupulosity symptoms and beliefs by comparing the Turkish Muslim students with the Canadian Christians who show different degrees of religiosity. To clarify the effect of religiosity on OCD symptomatology, Bible school and Divinity school students were included in the present study as an extreme religious group. Furthermore, the present study was aimed to examine the cross-cultural differences in the prevalence, content, appraisal and control of intrusions, using a structured interview methodology. Religiosity, guilt and scrupulosity scales and interview schedule were adapted into Turkish. The analyses revealed that the psychometric properties of the adapted measurements were satisfactory. Then, the effect of religiosity and religious affiliation on the experience of OCD symptoms, scrupulosity, and OCD relevant beliefs were examined via univariate and multivariate analyses. Results revealed that the effect of religiosity and nationality were significant for general distress. Results also revealed that regardless of nationality, high religious individuals reported higher degree of OCD and scrupulosity symptoms, and dysfunctional obsessive beliefs than low religious ones. The effect of religiosity on OCD and scrupulosity symptoms differed by religious affiliation. High religious Muslim students reported higher degree of compulsions, and fear of God symptoms than high religious Christians. Furthermore, religiosity and nationality affected obsessive beliefs differently. Turkish students reported higher level of perfectionism and intolerance for uncertainty in comparison with Canadian students. These results were supported by subsequent regression analyses. Furthermore, interview data showed that except for the frequency of the intrusions, the content of the intrusions was almost universal, and frequency and distress as a response to intrusions is very low in the normal population. Nationality and degree of religiosity revealed some minor differences in primary and secondary appraisals, and control strategies. These factors were specifically significant for religious and sexual intrusions. Results suggested that the religious affiliation and degree of religiosity may provide content for intrusions, rather being a causal factor. Keywords: Intrusive thoughts, Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, Faulty belief domains and appraisal, Religiosity and Religious Affiliation

Apesar do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) ser um transtorno mental grave, que causa acentuado sofrimento e interferência na vida, ele ainda é subdiagnosticado na população. Além disso, a prevalência de TOC e sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (SOC) e o impacto na qualidade de vida (QV) de adolescentes ainda não foram suficientemente estudados. A presente tese é composta por dois estudos: 1) um levantamento de base populacional para investigar a prevalência de SOC e TOC em adolescentes, comparando características demográficas e clínicas entre os sexos; 2) uma comparação entre adolescentes com e sem TOC quanto à QV e associação entre os domínios de QV e características clínicas. Nossos resultados apontam prevalência de 3,3% de TOC e 18,3% de SOC na amostra estudada, com meninas apresentando taxas mais elevadas em comparação aos meninos. No entanto, apesar dos altos índices, apenas um reduzido número de adolescentes já havia sido diagnosticado com TOC anteriormente à pesquisa (9,3%) e um percentual ainda menor recebia tratamento para a doença (6,7%). Além disso, quando comparados a adolescentes sem o transtorno, o grupo com TOC apresentou maiores prejuízos em todos os domínios de QV. Também, a presença de sintomas depressivos demonstrou estar associada com pior QV. Esses achados nos permitem concluir que, apesar da alta prevalência, o TOC é subdiagnosticado e ainda pouco tratado em adolescentes, porém, causa impacto significativo na QV dos jovens, contribuindo para prejuízos em todos os domínios. / Even though obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered a severe mental illness, causing a high degree of suffering and significantly affecting patients’ lives, the disorder remains underdiagnosed in the general population. Moreover, the prevalence of OCD and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and their impact on the quality of life of adolescents have not been extensively studied. The present dissertation comprises two studies, namely: 1) a population-based study designed to investigate the prevalence of OCS and OCD among adolescents, comparing demographic and clinical characteristics according to gender; and 2) a comparison between adolescents with and without OCD in relation to quality of life and the association between clinical characteristics and domain-specific quality of life impairment. Our results revealed a prevalence of 3.3% of OCD and 18.3% of OCS in the sample assessed, with girls presenting higher prevalence rates when compared with boys. Notwithstanding, despite the high rates observed, only a limited number of adolescents had been diagnosed with OCD before the study (9.3%), and an even smaller group was under treatment for the disorder (6.7%). In addition, when compared with adolescents without OCD, the group with the disorder showed poorer scores in all quality of life domains assessed. Also, the presence of depressive symptoms showed an association with poorer quality of life. These findings suggest that, in spite of the high prevalence of OCD, the disorder is still underdiagnosed and undertreated among adolescents. In addition, our findings confirm the significant impact of OCD on the quality of life of young patients, affecting all related domains.

Apesar do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) ser um transtorno mental grave, que causa acentuado sofrimento e interferência na vida, ele ainda é subdiagnosticado na população. Além disso, a prevalência de TOC e sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (SOC) e o impacto na qualidade de vida (QV) de adolescentes ainda não foram suficientemente estudados. A presente tese é composta por dois estudos: 1) um levantamento de base populacional para investigar a prevalência de SOC e TOC em adolescentes, comparando características demográficas e clínicas entre os sexos; 2) uma comparação entre adolescentes com e sem TOC quanto à QV e associação entre os domínios de QV e características clínicas. Nossos resultados apontam prevalência de 3,3% de TOC e 18,3% de SOC na amostra estudada, com meninas apresentando taxas mais elevadas em comparação aos meninos. No entanto, apesar dos altos índices, apenas um reduzido número de adolescentes já havia sido diagnosticado com TOC anteriormente à pesquisa (9,3%) e um percentual ainda menor recebia tratamento para a doença (6,7%). Além disso, quando comparados a adolescentes sem o transtorno, o grupo com TOC apresentou maiores prejuízos em todos os domínios de QV. Também, a presença de sintomas depressivos demonstrou estar associada com pior QV. Esses achados nos permitem concluir que, apesar da alta prevalência, o TOC é subdiagnosticado e ainda pouco tratado em adolescentes, porém, causa impacto significativo na QV dos jovens, contribuindo para prejuízos em todos os domínios. / Even though obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered a severe mental illness, causing a high degree of suffering and significantly affecting patients’ lives, the disorder remains underdiagnosed in the general population. Moreover, the prevalence of OCD and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and their impact on the quality of life of adolescents have not been extensively studied. The present dissertation comprises two studies, namely: 1) a population-based study designed to investigate the prevalence of OCS and OCD among adolescents, comparing demographic and clinical characteristics according to gender; and 2) a comparison between adolescents with and without OCD in relation to quality of life and the association between clinical characteristics and domain-specific quality of life impairment. Our results revealed a prevalence of 3.3% of OCD and 18.3% of OCS in the sample assessed, with girls presenting higher prevalence rates when compared with boys. Notwithstanding, despite the high rates observed, only a limited number of adolescents had been diagnosed with OCD before the study (9.3%), and an even smaller group was under treatment for the disorder (6.7%). In addition, when compared with adolescents without OCD, the group with the disorder showed poorer scores in all quality of life domains assessed. Also, the presence of depressive symptoms showed an association with poorer quality of life. These findings suggest that, in spite of the high prevalence of OCD, the disorder is still underdiagnosed and undertreated among adolescents. In addition, our findings confirm the significant impact of OCD on the quality of life of young patients, affecting all related domains.

Apesar do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) ser um transtorno mental grave, que causa acentuado sofrimento e interferência na vida, ele ainda é subdiagnosticado na população. Além disso, a prevalência de TOC e sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (SOC) e o impacto na qualidade de vida (QV) de adolescentes ainda não foram suficientemente estudados. A presente tese é composta por dois estudos: 1) um levantamento de base populacional para investigar a prevalência de SOC e TOC em adolescentes, comparando características demográficas e clínicas entre os sexos; 2) uma comparação entre adolescentes com e sem TOC quanto à QV e associação entre os domínios de QV e características clínicas. Nossos resultados apontam prevalência de 3,3% de TOC e 18,3% de SOC na amostra estudada, com meninas apresentando taxas mais elevadas em comparação aos meninos. No entanto, apesar dos altos índices, apenas um reduzido número de adolescentes já havia sido diagnosticado com TOC anteriormente à pesquisa (9,3%) e um percentual ainda menor recebia tratamento para a doença (6,7%). Além disso, quando comparados a adolescentes sem o transtorno, o grupo com TOC apresentou maiores prejuízos em todos os domínios de QV. Também, a presença de sintomas depressivos demonstrou estar associada com pior QV. Esses achados nos permitem concluir que, apesar da alta prevalência, o TOC é subdiagnosticado e ainda pouco tratado em adolescentes, porém, causa impacto significativo na QV dos jovens, contribuindo para prejuízos em todos os domínios. / Even though obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is considered a severe mental illness, causing a high degree of suffering and significantly affecting patients’ lives, the disorder remains underdiagnosed in the general population. Moreover, the prevalence of OCD and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and their impact on the quality of life of adolescents have not been extensively studied. The present dissertation comprises two studies, namely: 1) a population-based study designed to investigate the prevalence of OCS and OCD among adolescents, comparing demographic and clinical characteristics according to gender; and 2) a comparison between adolescents with and without OCD in relation to quality of life and the association between clinical characteristics and domain-specific quality of life impairment. Our results revealed a prevalence of 3.3% of OCD and 18.3% of OCS in the sample assessed, with girls presenting higher prevalence rates when compared with boys. Notwithstanding, despite the high rates observed, only a limited number of adolescents had been diagnosed with OCD before the study (9.3%), and an even smaller group was under treatment for the disorder (6.7%). In addition, when compared with adolescents without OCD, the group with the disorder showed poorer scores in all quality of life domains assessed. Also, the presence of depressive symptoms showed an association with poorer quality of life. These findings suggest that, in spite of the high prevalence of OCD, the disorder is still underdiagnosed and undertreated among adolescents. In addition, our findings confirm the significant impact of OCD on the quality of life of young patients, affecting all related domains.