Modelling OCD: a test of the inflated responsibility model

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychopathology

Background:

• The Salkovskis (1999) model highlights inflated responsibility in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
• This model is influential in understanding and treating OCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically test core processes of the Salkovskis (1999) inflated responsibility model of OCD.
• To examine the mediating role of thought misinterpretation in OCD.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 170 undergraduate students participated.
• Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were employed.
• Multiple indicators measured components of the inflated responsibility model.

Main Results:

• The inflated responsibility model demonstrated a good fit with the collected data.
• Misinterpretations of intrusive thoughts as personal responsibility fully mediated the link between responsibility beliefs and subsequent behaviors.
• These behaviors included safety strategies, neutralizing actions, and mood changes.

Conclusions:

• The Salkovskis (1999) inflated responsibility model of OCD is empirically supported in this student sample.
• The findings support the proposed mechanisms within the model.
• This study reinforces prior evidence for the model's validity.