An empirical test of the metacognitive model of obsessive-compulsive symptoms: replication and extension

J Anxiety Disord. 2010 Jan;24(1):79-86. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.08.009.

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to further investigate the role of metacognitive beliefs implicated in Wells' (1997) model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The metacognitive domains of thought-fusion beliefs and beliefs about rituals were positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms in a community control sample (N=269) and in an OCD sample (N=57). The OCD sample had significantly more obsessive-compulsive symptoms as well as higher scores on the metacognitive constructs than the control sample. In order to perform a more stringent test of the metacognitive model of OCD and to explore the role of a third metacognitive construct, that of stop signals, a second study was conducted using a community control sample (N=304). All three metacognitive constructs were positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Thought-fusion beliefs and beliefs about rituals predicted obsessive-compulsive symptoms, even when controlling for worry, threat, and non-metacognitive beliefs such as perfectionism/certainty and responsibility. Results of this study provide further evidence for the importance of metacognitions in OCD.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ceremonial Behavior*
  • Cognition*
  • Culture*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Regression Analysis
  • Surveys and Questionnaires