The impact of modifying obsessive-compulsive beliefs about perfectionism

Shiu F Wong; Vanessa Lim; Melissa J Black; Jessica R Grisham

doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101675

The impact of modifying obsessive-compulsive beliefs about perfectionism

J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 2021 Dec:73:101675. doi: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101675. Epub 2021 Jul 17.

Authors

Shiu F Wong¹, Vanessa Lim², Melissa J Black³, Jessica R Grisham⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Canada. Electronic address: shiu.wong@concordia.ca.
² School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia.
³ MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: jessicag@unsw.edu.au.

PMID: 34293510
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101675

Abstract

Background and objectives: Cognitive-behavioural models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggest that maladaptive beliefs about perfectionism play a key role in the development and maintenance of OCD. Cognitive-bias modification for interpretation bias (CBM-I) is an experimental procedure that can test this proposed causal relation.

Methods: As such, the current study investigated whether multiple CBM-I sessions administered in different contexts can modify perfectionism biases. Undergraduate students high in OCD-related perfectionism beliefs were randomly allocated to either an experimental (n = 44) or control (n = 44) training condition and completed self-report and behavioural measures of perfectionism and OCD symptoms.

Results: As predicted, relative to the control condition, participants in the experimental condition exhibited a significant decrease in perfectionism beliefs, from baseline to after one CBM-I training session, which was maintained at one-week follow-up. Contrary to hypotheses, there were no significant differences between conditions on measures of OCD symptoms and perfectionistic behaviour.

Limitations: Issues with the current study's behavioural measures may have precluded any differences between conditions.

Conclusions: Results underscore the need to further refine cognitive-behavioural models of OCD to understand the precise causal relation between beliefs and symptoms.

Keywords: Beliefs; Cognitive-bias modification; Interpretation bias; Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Perfectionism.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bias
Humans
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder*
Perfectionism*
Random Allocation
Self Report
Students