Exploring the interrelations of obsessions, compulsions, and health: the mediating role of psychotic symptoms in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

BACKGROUND

Despite the high comorbidity between obsessive-compulsive and psychotic symptoms, little is known about its impact on the health of individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This study aimed to 1) explore the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in individuals with OCD, and 2) examine the mediating role of psychotic symptoms in the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and overall health.

METHODS

This study included 102 participants undergoing treatment for OCD (Mage = 42.33, SD = 14.40, 52.9 % female). Structural equation modeling was employed to assess whether psychotic symptoms mediated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and health outcomes.

RESULTS

Among participants with OCD (from mild to severe), 53.9 % exhibited positive psychotic symptoms, 74.7 % presented negative psychotic symptoms, and 83.5 % showed depressive psychotic symptoms. A significant correlation was found between OCD symptoms and psychotic symptoms (r ranging from .338 to .512). Structural equation modeling indicated that psychotic symptoms fully mediated the relationship between compulsions and health.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the intricate relationship between OCD and psychotic symptoms remains a critical challenge in mental health research and clinical practice. Enhanced insights into this connection could facilitate more precise diagnoses and allow for more personalized treatments.