Development of a structural model of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles and defense mechanisms

The aim of this study was to determine the indirect effect of early maladaptive schemas and attachment styles on obsessive-compulsive disorder mediated by defense mechanisms. The research method was correlational based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the study included people with obsessive-compulsive disorder referred to psychological counseling centers in Tehran in the period from the beginning to the end of 1398. 390 of these people were selected by available sampling method. Data collection tools were Madzley obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire (Hodgson and Rachman, 1977), early maladaptive schemas questionnaire (Young, 1998), attachment style questionnaire (Hazan and Shaver, 1987) and defense mechanisms questionnaire (Andrews et al. , 1993) was. Data analysis using Pearson correlation method and structural equation modeling showed that there is a relationship between early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles and defense mechanisms with obsessive-compulsive disorder (P <0.01). There is a relationship between attachment styles and early maladaptive schemas with defense mechanisms (P <0.01). Also, the obsessive-compulsive disorder model has a good fit based on early maladaptive schemas, attachment styles, and defense mechanisms.