Author: Siev Jedidiah Steketee Gail Fama Jeanne M. Wilhelm Sabine
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company
ISSN: 1938-887X
Source: Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Vol.25, Iss.3, 2011-08, pp. : 167-176
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
Sexual and religious obsessions are often grouped together as unacceptable thoughts, symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) hypothesized to be maintained by maladaptive beliefs about the importance and control of thoughts. Although there is empirical justification for this typology, there are several reasons to suspect that sexual and religious obsessions may differ with respect to associated obsessional beliefs and personality traits. In this study, we examined the associations between sexual and religious obsessions (separately) and (a) putatively obsessional cognitive styles, especially beliefs about the importance and control of thoughts, and responsibility; (b) obsessive-compulsive personality traits; and (c) schizotypal personality traits. Whereas sexual obsessions were predicted only by increased beliefs about the importance and control of thoughts, and contamination obsessions were predicted only by inflated responsibility appraisals and threat estimation, religious obsessions were independently predicted by both of these constructs. In addition, only religious obsessions were related to self-reported obsessive-compulsive personality traits. Researchers and clinicians should be cognizant of potentially important distinctions between sexual and religious obsessions, and the possibility that scrupulous OCD shares processes with both autogenous and reactive presentations.
Related content
Obsessions and Compulsions Are Associated With Different Cognitive and Mood Factors
Behaviour Change, Vol. 22, Iss. 2, 2005-06 ,pp. :
Overvalued Ideas and Obsessions: Some Clinical Considerations
Behaviour Change, Vol. 17, Iss. 4, 2000-12 ,pp. :
Is There a Cognitive Basis for Religious Belief?
By Goldman R.L.
Journal of Psychology and Judaism, Vol. 24, Iss. 3, 2000-01 ,pp. :
A Cognitive Typology of Religious Actions
Journal of Cognition and Culture, Vol. 7, Iss. 3-4, 2007-09 ,pp. :