Thought Control Strategies Used by Parents Reporting Postpartum Obsessions

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 435-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin E. Larsen ◽  
Stefanie A. Schwartz ◽  
Stephen P. Whiteside ◽  
Maheruh Khandker ◽  
Katherine M. Moore ◽  
...  

Previous research has established that parents commonly experience intrusive harm-related thoughts pertaining to their infants (e.g., “My baby might die from SIDS”). Cognitive-behavioral models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) posit that maladaptive strategies for managing such thoughts play a role in the development and maintenance of obsessional problems. In the present study, we examined (1) the strategies parents used to manage unwanted infant-related thoughts and (2) the relationships between thought control strategies and obsessional and depressive symptoms. Non-treatment-seeking parents (n = 75) of healthy newborns completed measures of intrusive thoughts, thought control strategies, and obsessional and depressive symptoms. Mothers and fathers did not differ in their use of various thought control strategies. Strategies involving distraction, self-punishment, and reappraisal of the intrusive thought were positively related to the severity of obsessional symptoms. Punishment was also positively associated with depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in terms cognitive-behavioral models of OCD.

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-189
Author(s):  
Eric B. Lee ◽  
Steven Bistricky ◽  
Alex Milam ◽  
Chad T. Wetterneck ◽  
Thröstur Björgvinsson

Treatment effectiveness of exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be attenuated in part because of the complex, heterogeneous nature of OCD. Previous studies have indicated relationships between thought control strategies and OCD severity. This study replicates and extends these findings by using a dimensional measure of OCD and examining changes in thought control strategies across treatment. Participants included 49 patients with OCD attending residential and intensive outpatient treatment. Statistical analyses revealed significant reduction in worry and punishment thought control strategies from pre- to posttreatment as well as relationships between reduced use of specific thought control strategies and specific types of OCD symptomatology. Findings suggest that developing and employing modified forms of treatment more aligned with individuals’ specific OCD symptomatology could be worthwhile to improve treatment of OCD.


Author(s):  
Peter D. McLean ◽  
Sheila R. Woody

This chapter presents a description of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the prevailing theory of OCD. It also reviews assessment issues related to diagnosis and treatment planning, along with the role of triggers, cognitive appraisals, feared consequences, and avoidance in the occurrence of obsessive thoughts. The chapter will concentrate on the detailed application of behavioral and cognitive behavioral models of treatment for OCD, since these approaches have been guided by empirical development.


2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Markowitz ◽  
Christine Purdon

AbstractCognitive-behavioral models of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) assert that negative appraisals of obsessional thoughts lead to distress over the thoughts and drive ameliorative actions such as thought suppression and compulsions. These responses in turn play a role in the persistence of the disorder. However, past research has not examined (a) what factors lead individuals to suppress obsessional thoughts; (b) whether certain predictors and consequences relate to suppression uniquely or can be explained by general factors such as negative mood and neuroticism; or (c) individuals' natural active suppression of obsessions. The current study addresses these limitations by examining the roles of natural suppression and distress over thought intrusions in the thought-appraisal/OC symptoms relationship while controlling for general factors. Ninety-one nonclinical participants completed a variety of measures assessing theoretically relevant constructs. After their obsessional thought was primed, they recorded their thoughts for 6 minutes and then rated their suppression effort. Four hours later, longer-term outcomes were assessed. Path analyses supported most components of cognitive-behavioral models.


2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Doron ◽  
Michael Kyrios ◽  
Richard Moulding ◽  
Maja Nedeljkovic ◽  
Sunil Bhar

Cognitive-behavioral models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) assign a central role to specific beliefs and coping strategies in the development, maintenance and exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms. These models also implicate perceptions of self and the world in the development and maintenance of OC phenomena (e.g., overestimation of threat, sociotropy, ambivalent or sensitive sense of self, looming vulnerability), although such self and world domains have not always been emphasized in recent research. Following recent recommendations (Doron & Kyrios, 2005), the present study undertook a multifaceted investigation of self and world perceptions in a nonclinical sample, using a coherent worldview framework (Janoff-Bulman, 1989, 1991). Beliefs regarding the self and the world were found to predict OC symptom severity over and above beliefs outlined in traditional cognitive-behavioral models of OCD. Self and world beliefs were also related to other OC-relevant beliefs. Implications of these findings for theory and treatment of OCD are discussed.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ekin Eremsoy ◽  
Mujgan Inozu

Background: It has been suggested that magical thinking is related to both obsessions and compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Recent studies have indicated the significant relationship between level of religiosity and beliefs about the importance and need to control unwanted thoughts in OCD. People also use diverse strategies to control their unwanted thoughts. Aims: The present study aimed to examine the interrelationships between magical thinking and worry and punishment as thought-control strategies in mediating the relationship between religiosity and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in a Turkish sample. Methods: The sample of the present study was comprised of 179 non-clinical, community-based participants who completed measures of OC symptoms (measured with the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory — Revised), magical thinking (measured with the Magical Ideation Scale), religiosity, and thought-control strategies (measured with the Thought Control Questionnaire). Results: Both worry and punishment as thought-control strategies and magical thinking mediated the links between religiosity and OC symptoms. Furthermore, the relationship between religiosity and OC symptoms was mediated by magical thinking through punishment and worry. Conclusions: Findings pointing out the mediating role of magical thinking through punishment and worry in the relationship between religiosity and OC symptoms are novel and need to be replicated in future studies.


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