Structural Relationship Modeling of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symptoms and self-Ambivalence: The Mediating Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of humanities, Khayyam University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Msc, Department of Psychology, Faculty of humanities, Khayyam University, Mashhad, Iran

10.48308/apsy.2024.234687.1613

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between self-ambivalence and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in an analog sample. Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study included adults over 18 years old, from whom 718 individuals were selected as the research sample using convenience sampling. Participants completed the Ambivalence Scale (Bhar & Kyrios, 2007), the 12-item Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (Carleton et al., 2007), and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Goodman et al., 1989). For data analysis, structural equation modeling and the software Amos-24 and SPSS-27 were used. Results: The research findings indicated that there is a significant and positive relationship between self-ambivalence and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (P<0.01), and a significant and negative relationship between intolerance of uncertainty with self-ambivalence and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (P<0.01). Additionally, intolerance of uncertainty mediated the relationship between self-ambivalence and the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (P<0.01). Conclusion: An examination of the findings showed that high levels of self-ambivalence lead to increased intensity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms by reducing tolerance for uncertainty. High levels of self-ambivalence, by focusing attention on oneself and reducing attention to the environment, result in decreased tolerance for uncertainty and consequently the emergence of obsessive symptoms. Based on this, obsessive symptoms can be seen as an individual's attempt to resolve ambivalence about themselves.

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Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 July 2024

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