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Related Experiment Video

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Exploring the Neural Correlates of Cognitive Reappraisal in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Using Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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Obsessive-compulsive personality traits: compensatory response to executive function deficit?

Ayse Aycicegi-Dinn¹, Wayne M Dinn, Catherine L Caldwell-Harris

¹Department of Psychology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. dinn@bu.edu

The International Journal of Neuroscience

|February 21, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive personality traits (OCPTs) show cognitive disorganization and working memory deficits. These OCPTs may be a coping mechanism for executive control issues, not linked to classic OCD symptoms.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science

Background:

Obsessive-compulsive personality traits (OCPTs) are hypothesized to be linked with cognitive disorganization, specifically executive control deficits.
Individuals with pronounced OCPTs might rigidly follow rules as a compensatory strategy for underlying cognitive disorganization.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between OCPTs and cognitive disorganization.
To examine whether individuals with OCPTs exhibit working memory deficits.
To determine if performance deficits on neurocognitive tasks are related to OCPTs.

Main Methods:

A study group of university students with pronounced OCPTs and a comparison group were identified.
The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) was administered to assess performance.
Self-report measures for OCPTs, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depressive symptoms were used.

Main Results:

Students with pronounced OCPTs showed performance deficits on the ROCFT, including lower copy organization scores.
A subtle visuospatial working memory deficit was observed in individuals with pronounced OCPTs.
These executive control and working memory deficits were linked to OCPTs but not to classic OCD symptoms.

Conclusions:

The findings support the hypothesis that OCPTs are associated with cognitive disorganization and working memory deficits.
OCPTs may function as compensatory tactics for executive control deficits.
The observed deficits are specific to OCPTs and not directly associated with classic OCD symptomatology.