Further insight into the role of metacognitive beliefs in schizophrenia and OCD patients: testing a mediation model

Abstract

This study explored the mediation effect of metacognitive beliefs on the relationship between intrusive thoughts and emotional distress in schizophrenia (N=49) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (N=35). Intrusive thoughts impact on anxiety and depression through beliefs about uncontrollability and danger of thoughts in schizophrenia. Negative beliefs in general mediated the effect of intrusive thoughts on anxiety in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The results suggest that metacognitive beliefs may be a vulnerability factor for emotional and psychological disorder.

Keywords: Metacognitive beliefs; Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); Schizophrenia.