The Correlation of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms with Interpersonal Problems in Male Students: The Mediating Role of...

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive symptoms often face interpersonal challenges and impaired social functioning. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and interpersonal issues in adolescents, highlighting the mediating role of empathy and self-compassion.

In this study, a cross-sectional correlational design was adopted using a serial path analysis model. The statistical population comprised all male senior high school students, aged 15 to 18 years, in Mashhad, Iran, during the 2022-2023 academic year. Through the multistage cluster random sampling method, 597 students were selected. Data were collected using Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Child Version (OCI-CV), Interpersonal Problems Questionnaire (IIP-32), Self-Compassion Scale for Youth (SCS-Y), Empathy Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (EmQue-CA) and analyzed with SPSS version 26 and PROCESS macro.

Path analysis showed a significant direct correlation between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and interpersonal problems (β=0.22, P<0.001). Indirect analysis indicated that this correlation is mediated by self-compassion and empathy (β=0.34, 95% CI [0.25, 0.42]). Specifically, self-compassion (β=0.23, 95% CI [0.16, 0.31]) and empathy (β=0.07, 95% CI [0.01, 0.12]) independently mediated the association. The serial mediation effect through both self-compassion and empathy was also significant (β=0.04, 95% CI [0.01, 0.08]).

The study results implied that diminished levels of self-compassion and empathy could be significant contributing factors to interpersonal challenges in individuals with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Therefore, enhancing these psychological traits could be considered an effective approach in clinical interventions aimed at reducing the interpersonal consequences associated with this disorder.