ATTACHMENT AND OCD

"Attachment anxiety, Self Structures and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'We aim to investigate, via experimental tasks, the nature of the relationships between attachment anxiety, self structures and key phenomenological features of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in order to inform conceptualisations and improve psychological treatment of this disorder. In Study 1, we aim to assess whether the triggering of attachment-anxiety is associated with lower implicit self esteem (ISE) and greater urge to act in response to scenarios previously shown to be OCD-relevant. It is hypothesized that triggering attachment-anxiety will decrease ISE and result in greater urge to act in response to OCD-related scenarios. Conversely, in Study 2, we aim to assess whether priming attachment security is associated with higher implicit self esteem (ISE) and lesser urge to act in response to scenarios previously shown to be OCD-relevant. It is hypothesized that enhancing attachment security will increase ISE and result in lesser urge to act in response to OCD-related scenarios. In Study 3, we will investigate whether suppressing intrusive thoughts rated as personally meaningful will lead to decreased ISE, particularly for individuals with high attachment-anxiety. We expect the suppression of intrusive thoughts considered indicative of hidden self-aspects will result in lower ISE, in particular for individuals with high attachment-anxiety. In Studies 4, 5 and 6, we aim to replicate the findings in a clinical OCD sample. The proposed research involving the integration of OCD, cognitive, attachment and self research is consistent with the aim of creating internationally competitive ‘state of the art’, interdisciplinary research capacity within the EU. Given the expertise of the host organization, collaborator (from the applicants’ previous residence) and applicant in the development and dissemination of evidence-based psychological research, the successful reintegration of the applicant into the EU research community is extremely high.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An experimental research study investigated the significance of self-concept and attachment orientations in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. Results offer new insights and contribute to the body of knowledge that offers enhanced therapeutic and preventative interventions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

With the support of EU funding, the 'Attachment anxiety, self structures and obsessive compulsive disorder' (OCD) project carried out four studies to inform conceptualisation and improve the psychological treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The focus was on the influence of experimental manipulations of the attachment system on implicit self-esteem (ISE), and the urge to act in response to scenarios previously considered relevant to OCD.

The first and second studies used two student cohorts, and focused on the influence of the priming of the attachment system on ISE. In both studies, the cohorts were divided into two groups, each of which was presented with a different condition. The four conditions studied were classified under the following categories: attachment-anxiety condition, negative control condition, priming of attachment security condition, and acquaintance-priming control condition. Measurements of ISE levels after the attachment manipulation did not yield statistically significant findings in either study.

In the third and fourth studies, the cohorts were split into an experimental and control group. In Study 3, results showed that individuals with high-attachment anxiety reacted to the subliminal priming of attachment security with reduced distress and urge to act in response to situations related to OCD. Study 4 investigated supraliminal priming, and findings showed that it did not lead to any change in urge to act in response to OCD-related scenarios.

Given the burden of OCD, both personally and socially, and its relatively poor long-term prognosis, ongoing research is needed to arrive at more reliable predictors of treatment response and factors that need to be targeted. The OCD project represents a first step towards a better understanding of the self and attachment processes involved. Ongoing research in this area will help improve OCD assessments as well as the development of treatments and preventative interventions.