Manipulation of responsibility in non-clinical subjects: does expectation of failure exacerbate obsessive-compulsive behaviors?

An exaggerated sense of responsibility is currently considered as the ground for the obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-like behaviors, such as hesitations and checks, may be induced in non-clinical subjects by increasing perceived responsibility (i.e., perceived personal influence on negative outcomes). In line with Salkovskis' proposal [The cognitive approach to anxiety: threat beliefs, safety-seeking behavior, and the special case of health anxiety and obsessions, in: P.M. Salkovskis (Ed.), Frontiers of Cognitive Therapy, Guilford, New York], we tested the hypothesis that reduced coping abilities (i.e., an exaggerated expectation of failure) are another effectual factor contributing to obsessive-like behaviors. We examined 47 normal volunteers in a visuo-spatial memory task, and manipulated their perceived personal influence and expectation of failure by giving differential instructions and feedback about their performance. Increase of perceived personal influence induced slowness, hesitations and checks without enhancing performance. Expectation of failure exacerbated obsessive-like behaviors, again without affecting performance. These results confirm the role of responsibility in obsessive-like behavior and indicate that reduced coping abilities may contribute to worsen dysfunctional strategies.     

Diagnostic efficiency of DSM-IV criteria for obsessive compulsive personality disorder in patients with binge eating disorder

This study examined the diagnostic efficiency of the DSM-IV criteria for obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) in patients with binge eating disorder (BED). Two hundred and eleven consecutive adult patients with axis I diagnoses of BED were reliably assessed with semi-structured diagnostic interviews. Conditional probabilities-sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive power (PPP), and negative predictive power (NPP)-were calculated for each of the eight criteria for OCPD, using the 'best-estimate' OCPD diagnosis as the standard. The diagnostic efficiencies of the OCPD criteria were variable, with three criteria failing to have predictive value (PPP<0.50). The best inclusion criterion (highest PPP) was 'Perfectionism,' which was also the overall most predictive criterion. The findings suggest ordering of the DSM-IV criteria for OCPD based on performance and call into question the utility of some criteria.     

THE SORROWS OF YOUNG WERTHER AND GOETHE'S UNDERSTANDING OF MELANCHOLIA

The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774). By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, translated by Elizabeth Mayer and Louise Bogan. 167 pp. In The Sorrows of Young Werther, and Novella. New York: Random House, 1971.     

时间领导对员工助人行为的影响:工作激情和主动型人格的作用

基于情感事件理论和人-境互动视角,应用bootstrap法根据260份有效问卷的数据执行路径分析,探讨时间领导对员工助人行为的影响机制。结果发现:时间领导正向预测助人行为;时间领导影响助人行为部分是通过和谐式激情与强迫式激情的并行多重中介作用来实现的,且和谐式激情的个别中介效应较大;由于主动型人格的调节作用,时间领导影响助人行为的直接效应和总效应在员工主动型人格较低时更强。     

Spirituality and the Self

Spirituality and the Self explores how a mystical experience playing basketball led to a metamorphosis that transformed, expanded and unbound the author's sense of self.     

“Phobie à deux” and other reasons why clinicians do not apply exposure with response prevention in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Meta-analyses suggest that exposure with response prevention (ERP) is the most efficacious treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and treatment guidelines for the disorder accordingly recommend ERP. Despite this, many therapists, including those with a cognitive-behavioral therapeutic background, do not perform ERP in patients with OCD. The present study aimed to elucidate the reasons why. German therapists (N = 216) completed an anonymous online survey, the newly developed Reasons for Not Performing Exposure in OCD Scale (REPEX), that inquired whether, to what extent, and how they perform ERP in the treatment of OCD. We also asked their reasons for not applying ERP in the past. Most therapists considered ERP an efficient treatment for OCD. Marked differences emerged between physicians and psychologists, however. The former used exposure less often and for a shorter period, preferred in sensu to in vivo exposure, and conducted exposure less often in the personal environment of the patient than did psychologists. Both groups were familiar with clinical guidelines to a similar extent. A factor analysis of the REPEX scale revealed five factors. Patient lack of motivation, preference for exposure to be self-help as well as alleged organizational difficulties were endorsed most often. The latter was correlated with the age of the therapist and was far more often affirmed by physicians. Fear of side effects was named by a subgroup of clinicians; in the context of patient ambivalence, this may foster “phobie à deux”. Unlike prior research, lack of expertise was rarely identified as a reason not to use ERP. Recommendations for improving adherence to guidelines are discussed.     

A Flaw in the Fabric

There appears to be a broad impression that an explicitly psychoanalytic framework of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is outdated and obsolete. However, interpersonal dynamics and experiences within the family during childhood and their intrapersonal sequelae in particular, may have substantial bearing on the early stages of the development of OCD. The author presents a set of observations about obsessional thoughts based on case material from research projects, psychometric assessments and psychotherapy with these patients. Freud’s contributions to understanding the internal world of the patient are discussed, suggesting a need to extend beyond the crucible of emerging affects and their regulation and into the wider stage in which the most profound struggle exists around relating to the other. We place the individual’s experience of others at the centre of our theories of the aetiology of OCD. We need to expand our understanding of OCD, particularly in how we locate the individual’s internal struggles within the context of the social environment in, and perhaps out of, which they have emerged.     

Dancing with passion: A look at interpersonal relationships

Drawing from the dualistic model of passion for activities (Vallerand et al., 2003), this research investigated the role of passion for social partnered dancing in relationships quality with other dancers as well as outside of the dance community, in a romantic relationship. Study 1 showed that harmonious passion (HP) was related to enjoyment while dancing with a novice partner, whereas obsessive passion (OP) was associated with negative interactions with an incompetent partner. Study 2 showed that HP was positively related to relationship quality with a preferred dance partner and the dance community through mastery-approach and social connection goals, whereas the opposite effect characterized OP. Also, OP was negatively related to relationship quality with both a dance partner and a romantic partner through conflict, whereas the reverse trend characterized HP. This research identified mechanisms through which passion may affect relationships within and outside a passionate activity such as dance.