A preliminary investigation of the mediating roles of self-compassion and emotion dysregulation in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive behaviors

Alyssa Sher, Bethany M. Wootton, Josephine Paparo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
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Abstract

IntroductionRecent research has highlighted an association between maladaptive perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well understood. The primary aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether self-compassion and emotion dysregulation independently mediated this relationship. The secondary aim was to determine whether serial mediation existed between these factors. Whether these relations held for overall obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, versus distinct dimensions of OCD, was also of interest.MethodThree hundred and ninety-two university students (Mage = 21.81, SD = 8.01), predominantly female (79.18%), participated in an online questionnaire that included a dimensional measure of OCD. Scales assessing maladaptive perfectionism, self-compassion, emotion dysregulation, and negative emotion states were also included.ResultsGreater maladaptive perfectionism was related to more severe OCD. Emotion dysregulation, but not self-compassion, independently mediated this relationship. A serial mediation relationship was found, in that greater maladaptive perfectionism was associated with lower self-compassion, which was linked to greater emotion dysregulation, and in turn related to more severe OC behaviors. In addition, distinct patterns emerged for separate OC dimensions.ConclusionsThese findings highlight emotion regulation and self-compassion as potential targets for OCD prevention, especially in individuals with symptoms in the symmetry and unacceptable thoughts dimensions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)591-609
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Clinical Psychology
Volume80
Issue number3
Early online dateJan 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2024. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • clinical psychology
  • emotion dysregulation
  • maladaptive perfectionism
  • obsessive compulsive disorder
  • self-compassion

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