The purpose of this thesis was to investigate a specific cognitive theory of
obsessions; namely, that unwanted and repugnant intrusive thoughts cause
distress and persist when the person interprets their occurrence as highly
personally significant and important. Two studies were conducted. In the first
study, we described the development and undertook a validation study of a new
scale of obsessional-compulsive symptoms, the Vancouver Obsessional
Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). This measure was a necessary first step because
established measures of obsessional-compulsive symptoms are inadequate in
their assessment of a number of domains of obsessional-compulsive complaints,
particularly obsessions. Our findings in samples of people with obsessivecompulsive
disorder (OCD), people with other anxiety disorders or depression,
community adults, and undergraduate students suggest that the VOCI is a
promising new measure. In the second study, we investigated the role of
interpretations of the personal significance and importance of intrusive thoughts
in the occurrence of obsessions. Specifically, we hypothesized that people who
have repugnant obsessions or frequent, distressing intrusive thoughts would
interpret their intrusive thoughts as highly personally significant and important.
Our hypotheses were, in general, supported. There was a clear relationship
between beliefs and interpretations of the importance of thoughts and
obsessions in both OCD and nonclinical samples. In addition, these beliefs and
appraisals appeared to be specifically related to repugnant obsessions, rather
than obsessive-compulsive complaints in general. This research represents one
of the first attempts to evaluate the assertion that misinterpretations of intrusive
thoughts are fundamental in the experience of obsessions. The development of
the VOCI was a necessary first step in evaluating the relationship between
interpretations of personal significance and particular obsessional-compulsive
complaints. By demonstrating specific interpretations that are associated with
clinical obsessions, we hope to refine cognitive-behavioural models of
obsessions, and suggest ways in which current cognitive-behaviour therapy for
obsessions can be sharpened and made more effective.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/11178 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | Thordarson, Dana Sigrid |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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