Memory deficits in compulsive checkers: replication and extension in a clinical sample.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Checking behaviors are a common symptom in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Previous research indicated memory deficits in nonclinical populations exhibiting checking tendencies.
• The role of memory in clinical populations with checking behaviors requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate memory deficits in individuals diagnosed with checking behaviors.
• To determine if memory impairments are a significant factor in clinical checking behaviors.
• To explore the relationship between memory, imagery, and psychological distress in checkers.

Main Methods:

• Participants were recruited from a community mental health center outpatient department.
• Individuals were categorized as 'checkers' (n=13) or 'noncheckers' (n=12) based on the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI).
• Memory recall for recent actions, biographical information, and associated imagery were assessed.

Main Results:

• Checkers demonstrated significant deficits in memory recall for recently completed actions compared to noncheckers.
• Checkers reported using less spontaneous imagery, particularly visual imagery, during recall.
• Checkers exhibited higher levels of neuroticism and psychological distress.

Conclusions:

• Memory deficits, especially for actions, are implicated as a key factor in compulsive checking behaviors.
• Reduced use of visual imagery may be associated with memory difficulties in checkers.
• Checking behaviors are linked to increased neuroticism and psychological distress in a clinical sample.