The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Ego Strength

Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) is a specific subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in which symptoms are focused on intimate and/or close relationships one has with her/his spouse or partner. The study aimed to investigate the mediating role of ego strength in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and ROCD symptoms. The population comprised all students at the University of Tehran and the sample group consisted of 430 students (324 female, 106 male) who administered the Ego Strength Scale (ESS; Besharat, 2017), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS; Carleton et al. 2007), and Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Inventory (ROCI; Doron et al., 2012). The hypothesized mediation model provided fit to the data, The correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and ROCD symptoms was significantly positive, and between ego strength and ROCD symptoms was significantly negative. The study findings suggest that ego strength mediated the association between intolerance of uncertainty and ROCD symptoms. According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that intolerance of uncertainty and ego strength can predict the severity of ROCD symptoms. Considering these variables may be important in the processes of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of ROCD symptoms.