Responsibility and perfectionism in OCD: an experimental study

Cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suggest a number of different variables that may play a role in the development and maintenanc e of obsessive compulsive symptoms [Freeston, M. H.. Rheaume, J., & Ladouce ur, R. (1996) Correcting faulty appraisals of obsessional thoughts. Behavio ur Research and Therapy, 34, 433-446]. This study's aim was to verify the e ffect of perfectionism and excessive responsibility on checking behaviors a nd related variables. Twenty-four moderately perfectionistic subjects (MP) and 27 highly perfectionistic subjects (HP) were submitted to a manipulatio n of responsibility (low and high). After each manipulation, they had to pe rform a classification task during which checking behaviors were observed. Results indicate that more checking behaviors (hesitations? checking) occur red in the high responsibility condition than in the low responsibility con dition for subjects of both groups. After executing the task in the high re sponsibility condition, HP subjects reported more influence over and respon sibility for negative consequences than MP subjects. These results suggest that high perfectionistic tendencies could predispose individuals to overes timate their perceived responsibility for negative events. Furthermore, per fectionism could be conceived as playing a catalytic role in the perception of responsibility. Results are discussed according to cognitive models of OCD. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.