Psychosocial factors associated with patients with OCD

Abstract

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder is a disabling condition characterized by intrusive thoughts
which are intrusive, recurrent and distressing in nature, leading to repetitive compulsive mental and physical
acts. There are number of factors which play a significant role in OCD such as behavioral, cognitive,
environmental and psychosocial factors. Keeping this in view the present study aims to explore the social
support, coping and interpersonal behavior among the patients with Obsessive-Compulsive disorder
Methodology: A sample of 30 patients with OCD and 30 normal control matched on age, education and
socio- economic status for which purposive sampling method was used. A Social Support Inventory to
explore the perceived social support, Coping Style Questionnaire and Interpersonal Relationship Scale
was administered on both the groups. Results: Result indicated that the group of patients with ObsessiveCompulsive disorder scored high on emotional coping and avoidant coping, score less on perceived social
support and express less empathy as compared to normal controls. Results also revealed that emotional coping
and self- disclosure are the predictors of OCD. On the basis of results of present study, it can be concluded
that, Patients with OCD had poor coping, social support and perceived social support as compared to normal
controls. The possible implication of the present study could be that Interpersonal behavior is associated
with patient’s social interaction so future intervention should investigate social cognition, interpersonal
effectiveness therapy and training for resilience.