Develop a Structural Model of Obsessive Beliefs based on Executive Functions Mediated by Emotion Regulation(Gross Process Model of Emotion Regulation)

The present study employs structural equation modeling to assess the fit of a structural model encompassing obsessive beliefs grounded in executive functions, with emotion regulation as a mediating factor within a non-clinical population. The sample comprises 400 adults aged 20 to 50 in Tehran, selected from the general population via the available sampling method. The data collection instruments encompassed the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ), the Executive Functioning Questionnaire -Adult Version (BRIEF-A), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and the Behavioral Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (BERQ). The analysis of structural model fit indices revealed that they all fell within an acceptable range, thus affirming the suitability of the research's structural model. According to this model, executive functions exhibited significant effects on adaptive emotion regulation and maladaptive emotion regulation with standard coefficients of -0.45 and 0.76, respectively. Furthermore, adaptive emotion regulation with a standard coefficient of -0.10 and maladaptive emotion regulation with a standard coefficient of 0.63 were significantly impacted obsessive beliefs. To evaluate mediating relationships, the bootstrap test results were examined. It was found that the effect of executive functions on obsessive beliefs, mediated by maladaptive emotion regulation, was significant with standard coefficient of 0.478 at the p < 0.01 level. However, the effect of executive functions on obsessive beliefs, mediated by adaptive emotion regulation, was not significant with a standard coefficient of 0.045 at the p < 0.05 level. The findings of the study hold practical implications for the prevention of obsessive belief development and the alleviation of obsession-related suffering.