Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Interference, Symptoms, and Maladaptive Beliefs

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) involves obsessive preoccupation with romantic relationships.
• ROCD symptoms are linked to reduced relationship and sexual functioning, and lower mood.
• Previous studies on ROCD have focused solely on community samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare symptom severity and maladaptive beliefs in clinical ROCD, OCD, and community control groups.
• To investigate the clinical presentation of ROCD in a patient population.
• To examine the role of maladaptive beliefs in ROCD.

Main Methods:

• A clinical sample of 22 ROCD clients and 22 OCD clients were compared with 28 community controls.
• Diagnoses were confirmed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview.
• Symptom severity and dysfunctional beliefs were assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale and other measures.

Main Results:

• ROCD clients reported significantly higher ROCD symptom severity than OCD and control groups.
• ROCD and OCD groups showed similar primary symptom severity.
• ROCD clients endorsed more maladaptive OCD-related and relationship-related beliefs and higher depression than controls.

Conclusions:

• ROCD represents a significant and disabling manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorder requiring further research.
• Maladaptive beliefs associated with OCD and relationships appear to play a role in ROCD's development and persistence.