Investigating the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms with Mediating Role of Fear of Self, Emotional Beliefs, Obsessive Beliefs and Mental Contamination

Childhood traumatic experiences irreversibly impact child’s mind and are related to obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. This study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood trauma and OC symptoms with fear of self, emotional beliefs, obsessive beliefs and mental contamination mediating the relationship. This correlational study was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Three hundred students of Shiraz University in 1401-1402 selected through convenience sampling method, completed Childhood Traumatic Questionnaire (CTQ), Fear of Self Questionnaire (FOS), Emotional Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-44), Vancouver Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (VOCI-MC) and Vancouver Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 and AMOS-24 software. According to the findings, the modified version of the suggested model was fit. Therefore, experience of trauma during childhood leads to a state of feared self. The doubted and feared self, associated with mental pollution, obsessive beliefs, and emotional beliefs, subsequently lead intrusive thoughts experienced in sensitive domains of self to obsessive-compulsive symptoms. It seems that, considering feared-self and emotional beliefs in therapeutic plans assigned for OCD might be beneficial.