TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship between cognitions and symptoms in obsessive-compulsive disorder
AU - Tibi, Lee
AU - van Oppen, Patricia
AU - van Balkom, Anton J.L.M.
AU - Eikelenboom, Merijn
AU - Hendriks, Gert Jan
AU - Anholt, Gideon E.
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Background The cognitive theory of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) ascertains that catastrophic (mis)interpretations of normally occurring intrusive thoughts are related to the maintenance of OCD. Nonetheless, findings supporting the relationship between cognitive biases and OCD symptoms are largely inconsistent. In the present study we examined the relationship between OCD cognitions and symptoms among 382 OCD patients participating in the longitudinal Netherlands Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Association (NOCDA) study. Methods OCD cognitions and OC, anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using self-report questionnaires at baseline and at two-year follow-up. Baseline multiple regression analyses assessed the specificity of OC cognitions to OCD symptoms. Cross-lagged analyses examined whether cognitions predict OCD symptoms at two-year follow up. Results Baseline analyses demonstrated significant relationships between comorbid anxiety, depressive severity and OC cognitions, adjusted for OCD symptoms (β =.283, p <.001 and β =.246, p <.001, respectively). OCD severity adjusted for comorbid symptoms was unrelated to cognitions at baseline (β =.040, p = n.s). Unique associations were found between cognitions and two OCD symptom subtypes (Impulses: β =.215, p <.001; Rumination/doubting: β =.205, p <.001). Longitudinal analyses yielded non-significant associations between OCD cognitions and symptom severity. Prospective analyses of cognitions and OCD symptom subtypes yielded significant effects for both bidirectional and unidirectional associations (β =.11–.16, p <.05). Limitations Given the naturalistic design of the study, we did not assess therapeutic interventions between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions Results only partially concord with the predictions of the cognitive theory of OCD. Future studies should focus on mechanisms alternative to cognitions when investigating the course of OCD.
AB - Background The cognitive theory of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) ascertains that catastrophic (mis)interpretations of normally occurring intrusive thoughts are related to the maintenance of OCD. Nonetheless, findings supporting the relationship between cognitive biases and OCD symptoms are largely inconsistent. In the present study we examined the relationship between OCD cognitions and symptoms among 382 OCD patients participating in the longitudinal Netherlands Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Association (NOCDA) study. Methods OCD cognitions and OC, anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using self-report questionnaires at baseline and at two-year follow-up. Baseline multiple regression analyses assessed the specificity of OC cognitions to OCD symptoms. Cross-lagged analyses examined whether cognitions predict OCD symptoms at two-year follow up. Results Baseline analyses demonstrated significant relationships between comorbid anxiety, depressive severity and OC cognitions, adjusted for OCD symptoms (β =.283, p <.001 and β =.246, p <.001, respectively). OCD severity adjusted for comorbid symptoms was unrelated to cognitions at baseline (β =.040, p = n.s). Unique associations were found between cognitions and two OCD symptom subtypes (Impulses: β =.215, p <.001; Rumination/doubting: β =.205, p <.001). Longitudinal analyses yielded non-significant associations between OCD cognitions and symptom severity. Prospective analyses of cognitions and OCD symptom subtypes yielded significant effects for both bidirectional and unidirectional associations (β =.11–.16, p <.05). Limitations Given the naturalistic design of the study, we did not assess therapeutic interventions between baseline and follow-up. Conclusions Results only partially concord with the predictions of the cognitive theory of OCD. Future studies should focus on mechanisms alternative to cognitions when investigating the course of OCD.
KW - Cognitive theory
KW - Cross-lagged design
KW - Longitudinal
KW - Obsessive Compulsive Cognitions
KW - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85028513428&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.072
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.072
M3 - Article
C2 - 28865371
SN - 0165-0327
VL - 225
SP - 495
EP - 502
JO - Journal of affective disorders
JF - Journal of affective disorders
ER -