Examining Reflexive Responsivity to Emotion as an Explanatory Model for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Abstract
To date, no model has been able to account for both of the affective-motivational dimensions (i.e., harm avoidance and not just right/incomplete (NJR/I) sensations) that underlie compulsions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The current study examined an alternative conceptualization of OCD as a disorder of emotion-based impulsivity, with a harm avoidant presentation expected to predominate in individuals with high sensitivity to punishment, and an NJR/I presentation expected to predominate in individuals with high sensitivity to reinforcement. Adult study participants (N = 119) were obtained via MTurk. Study measures included the Obsessive-Compulsive Core Dimensions Questionnaire – Trait Version (Summerfeldt, Kloosterman, Antony, & Swinson, 2014); the Three Factor Impulsivity Index (Carver, Johnson, Joormann, Kim, & Nam, 2011) – specifically the two factors related to emotion-triggered impulsivity; and a shortened version of the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (Carver & White, 1994). First, harm avoidance was expected to be positively correlated with reflexive inaction, and NJR/I sensations were expected to be positively correlated with reflexive action; the first hypothesis was fully supported. Second, harm avoidance was expected to be positively correlated with sensitivity to punishment, and NJR/I sensations were expected to be positively correlated with sensitivity to reinforcement; the second hypothesis was not supported. Third, reflexive inaction and sensitivity to punishment were expected to positively predict harm avoidance, while reflexive action and sensitivity to reinforcement were expected to positively predict NJR/I sensations. The model for harm avoidance was significant, with 56.0% of variance in scores explained. The model for NJR/I sensations was significant, with 64.8% of variance in scores explained by reflexive action; sensitivity to reinforcement did not contribute. Fourth, specific tendencies toward a) reflexive action during intense negative mood and b) reward responsiveness were expected to predict NJR/I sensations. The model was significant, with 48.1% of variance in scores explained by reflexive action during intense negative mood; reward responsiveness did not contribute. Taken together, findings supported the conceptualization of OCD as a disorder of emotion-based impulsivity (with reflexive action consistently predicting NJR/I, and reflexive inaction predicting harm avoidance). However, findings did not support the hypothesized role of incentive sensitivity.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology|Behavioral psychology|Cognitive psychology
Recommended Citation
Reid, Jeannette Mason, "Examining Reflexive Responsivity to Emotion as an Explanatory Model for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" (2021). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28716878.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28716878
