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The significance of obsessions Thordarson, Dana Sigrid
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate a specific cognitive theory of obsessions; namely, that unwanted and repugnant intrusive thoughts cause distress and persist when the person interprets their occurrence as highly personally significant and important. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, we described the development and undertook a validation study of a new scale of obsessional-compulsive symptoms, the Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). This measure was a necessary first step because established measures of obsessional-compulsive symptoms are inadequate in their assessment of a number of domains of obsessional-compulsive complaints, particularly obsessions. Our findings in samples of people with obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), people with other anxiety disorders or depression, community adults, and undergraduate students suggest that the VOCI is a promising new measure. In the second study, we investigated the role of interpretations of the personal significance and importance of intrusive thoughts in the occurrence of obsessions. Specifically, we hypothesized that people who have repugnant obsessions or frequent, distressing intrusive thoughts would interpret their intrusive thoughts as highly personally significant and important. Our hypotheses were, in general, supported. There was a clear relationship between beliefs and interpretations of the importance of thoughts and obsessions in both OCD and nonclinical samples. In addition, these beliefs and appraisals appeared to be specifically related to repugnant obsessions, rather than obsessive-compulsive complaints in general. This research represents one of the first attempts to evaluate the assertion that misinterpretations of intrusive thoughts are fundamental in the experience of obsessions. The development of the VOCI was a necessary first step in evaluating the relationship between interpretations of personal significance and particular obsessional-compulsive complaints. By demonstrating specific interpretations that are associated with clinical obsessions, we hope to refine cognitive-behavioural models of obsessions, and suggest ways in which current cognitive-behaviour therapy for obsessions can be sharpened and made more effective.
Item Metadata
Title |
The significance of obsessions
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2000
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Description |
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate a specific cognitive theory of
obsessions; namely, that unwanted and repugnant intrusive thoughts cause
distress and persist when the person interprets their occurrence as highly
personally significant and important. Two studies were conducted. In the first
study, we described the development and undertook a validation study of a new
scale of obsessional-compulsive symptoms, the Vancouver Obsessional
Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). This measure was a necessary first step because
established measures of obsessional-compulsive symptoms are inadequate in
their assessment of a number of domains of obsessional-compulsive complaints,
particularly obsessions. Our findings in samples of people with obsessivecompulsive
disorder (OCD), people with other anxiety disorders or depression,
community adults, and undergraduate students suggest that the VOCI is a
promising new measure. In the second study, we investigated the role of
interpretations of the personal significance and importance of intrusive thoughts
in the occurrence of obsessions. Specifically, we hypothesized that people who
have repugnant obsessions or frequent, distressing intrusive thoughts would
interpret their intrusive thoughts as highly personally significant and important.
Our hypotheses were, in general, supported. There was a clear relationship
between beliefs and interpretations of the importance of thoughts and
obsessions in both OCD and nonclinical samples. In addition, these beliefs and
appraisals appeared to be specifically related to repugnant obsessions, rather
than obsessive-compulsive complaints in general. This research represents one
of the first attempts to evaluate the assertion that misinterpretations of intrusive
thoughts are fundamental in the experience of obsessions. The development of
the VOCI was a necessary first step in evaluating the relationship between
interpretations of personal significance and particular obsessional-compulsive
complaints. By demonstrating specific interpretations that are associated with
clinical obsessions, we hope to refine cognitive-behavioural models of
obsessions, and suggest ways in which current cognitive-behaviour therapy for
obsessions can be sharpened and made more effective.
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Extent |
7229578 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-07-23
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0099518
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2000-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
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Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.