Cognitive rigidities, character, and affect in obsessive-compulsive behavior.

The present study explored a model of obsessional behavior that proposses a cognitive dysfunction as a part of the pathological processes underlying Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD). The study sought to pin-point or rule out the specific dimension of cognitive style commonly termed cognitive rigidity in the literature on OCD. This presumed trait of obsessives is often believed to be related to character traits such as excessive conscientiousness and lack of openness. OCD was defined according to DSM-III-R criteria, but OCD related symptoms were also measured with the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). Cognitive rigidity was operationalized according to a model of multiple rigidities proposed by Gilbert Tourrette (1989). The presumed character traits were operationalized using Costa and McRae's NEO-FFI (NEO-Five Factor Inventory, 1992). Three groups were compared using the four dimensions defined by Tourrette--perseveration, mental flexibility-inflexibility, sensitivity-insensitivity to stimulus variation, and field independence-dependence--and the five factors of the NEO-FFI. The experimental group consisted of 27 subjects with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of OCD. A comparison group of 33 subjects with a variety of other Anxiety Disorders (OAD) comprised the comparison group; 43 subjects with no history of DSM-III-R symptoms formed the control group. It was hypothesized that OCD subjects as compared to OAD and Controls should show greater perseveration and field dependence, less cognitive flexibility-fluidity and sensitivity to stimulus variation. It was also expected that, if the traditional model was true, OCD subjects would show less openness and greater conscientiousness than subjects in the other groups. Results contradicted these predictions. The OCD group did not differ significantly from the control group in any of these measures. However, higher checking scores on the MOCI were significantly related to flexibility scores. This suggests that in the area of cognitive rigidity OCD may be a localized or a domain-specific disorder, and not a generalized cognitive or character style. Additionally, it was found that greater field dependence characterized the OAD group in contrast to both OCD and control subjects. This finding is consistent with other studies that have shown a connection between the OAD's and field dependence.PhDBehavioral psychologyClinical psychologyCognitive psychologyPsychologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/131431/2/9909895.pd