The Effect of Childhood Psychological Maltreatment on Obsessive-compulsive Symptoms in Nonclinical Population: the mediating roles of the responsibility and cognitive fusion

This research aimed to investigate the predictive role of childhood psychological maltreatment by responsibility and cognitive fusion in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a non-clinical population.

The research design was correlational and statistical population comprised students of Shiraz University in the 2018-2019 academic year. A number of 306 subject (145 males and 161 females) were selected using the randomized multi-stage cluster sampling method. The measures were collectec by Psychological Maltreatment Inventory, the Cognitive Fusion Scale(CFQ), the Responsibility Attitude Scale(RAS) and The Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). Obtained data were analyzed using the structural equation modeling.

Result showed that responsibility and cognitive fusion were relatively mediator in the relationship between childhood psychological maltreatment subscale (emotional non-responsiveness, rejection / frightenment, overcoming / inflexibility) with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. There was an direct and significant impact between childhood psychological maltreatment subscale(emotional non-responsiveness, rejection / frightenment, overcoming / inflexibility) with obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

In order to decrease the obsessive thoughts and ritualistic behaviors in individuals with obsessive-compulsive symptoms, therapists need on the one hand, to review and evaluat the unpleasant experiences of childhood and, on the other hand, beside cognitive and retrospective  challenging seek to reduce their beliefs of responsibility and cognitive fusion.