We proposed a relationship between territoriality and obsessive-compulsive
(OC) symptoms and derived and tested several hypotheses. We predicted that
territoriality could be adequately assessed by a new self-report measure, t
hat a nonspurious and significant relationship exists between territorialit
y and OC symptoms and disorder, that territoriality would serve as a risk f
or the future increase of OC symptoms, and that OC disorder (OCD) patients
would manifest their territoriality needs by choosing to sit farther from t
heir therapists than non-OCD patients. Results from four studies on nonpati
ent and patient samples were consistent with our preliminary conceptualizat
ion, which deserves continued development and research attention. (C) 2001
Elsevier Science Inc. All tights reserved.