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'I was treated like dirt': evaluating links between betrayal and mental contamination in clinical samples

Rowena Pagdin1, Paul M Salkovskis2,3,4, Falguni Nathwani1,4

  • 1Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, UK.

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
|August 29, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Interpersonal betrayal significantly impacts mental health, particularly in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study found betrayal experiences strongly predict mental contamination (MC), especially in OCD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • The impact of interpersonal betrayal on mental health is under-researched.
  • Existing research suggests a link between betrayal and mental contamination (MC) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • Develop and evaluate the Perception of Betrayal Scale (POBS).
  • Assess the specificity of the association between betrayal and MC.
  • Examine the impact of betrayal across common psychological disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Study 1: Developed and validated the POBS using principal components analysis in 217 community participants.
  • Study 2: Employed a cross-sectional design comparing clinical groups (OCD, anxiety, depression) and a control group.

Main Results:

  • The POBS demonstrated strong internal consistency and identified four key factors related to betrayal.
  • The OCD group reported higher maladaptive perceptions of betrayal.
  • Betrayal scores, particularly lack of trust and traumatic responses, significantly predicted MC, outperforming bitterness.

Conclusions:

  • Findings support a specific relationship between betrayal and mental contamination.
  • The POBS is a valid measure for assessing betrayal perceptions.
Keywords:
betrayalmental contaminationobsessive compulsive disorder

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