Cross-sectional Study of Obsessive Beliefs, Perfectionism, Responsibility, and Metacognitive Beliefs on OCD Symptoms in an Iranian Population
| Author | Rashin Arefnia | en |
| Author | Kobra Haji Alizadeh | en |
| Author | Seyed Hamzeh Seddigh | en |
| Orcid | Rashin Arefnia [0009-0008-7662-2080] | en |
| Orcid | Kobra Haji Alizadeh [0000-0002-7461-2021] | en |
| Orcid | Seyed Hamzeh Seddigh [0000-0002-7178-1516] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-02-17 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a recognized mental health issue, defined in the DSM-5 as a condition characterized by intrusive, anxiety-inducing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between obsessive beliefs, perfectionism, and responsibility with OCD symptoms, with a focus on the mediating role of metacognitive beliefs in a non-clinical population in Karaj, Iran Methods: A priori power analysis using G*Power (α = 0.05, 1-β = 0.80, effect size = 0.20) determined a required sample of approximately 1,350 participants; final n = 1,321. This cross-sectional study examines the relationships among obsessive beliefs, perfectionism, responsibility, and OCD symptoms in individuals aged 18 to 35 residing in Karaj, Iran. The study employs five validated instruments: The Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-44), the Metacognitive Beliefs Questionnaire (MCQ-30), the Responsibility Questionnaire, and the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PNPS). Data were collected through cluster sampling across four districts of Karaj, Iran between January and July 2024. To address potential sources of bias, standardized data collection protocols were implemented, cluster-related bias was examined by ICC (0.004), missing data were handled via FIML, and statistical screening was applied for outliers. Self-report bias was minimized through anonymous administration and confidentiality assurances. Data analysis utilized SPSS v.25 and SEM via LISREL v.8.8, focusing on direct and indirect effects (significance level P < 0.05). Results: Participants were 1,321 young adults (50.6% female, 49.4% male; 50.9% under 25 years, 49.1% ≥ 25 years). The results indicate that obsessive beliefs significantly increase OCD symptoms (β = 0.13, t = 4.75, P < 0.001), while responsibility has a notable negative effect (β = -0.18, t = -6.35, P < 0.001). Metacognitive beliefs also positively impact OCD (β = 0.17, t = 6.22, P < 0.001). Positive perfectionism significantly decreases OCD symptoms (β = -0.18, t = -6.75, P < 0.001); negative perfectionism is non-significant (β = -0.03, t = -1.15, P > 0.05). In mediation analysis, obsessive beliefs (indirect effect = 0.0408), responsibility (indirect effect = -0.034), and positive perfectionism (indirect effect = -0.0289) significantly influence OCD through metacognitive beliefs; negative perfectionism remains non-significant (indirect effect = -0.0013). Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of targeting metacognitive beliefs in interventions aimed at reducing OCD symptoms. Although bias-mitigation procedures were implemented, the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-report tools, and geographically restricted cluster sampling may limit causal inference and introduce sampling bias. Generalizability is therefore limited primarily to urban young adults in Karaj with similar sociocultural contexts, and extrapolation to clinical populations or other regions should be made cautiously. Future longitudinal, multi-city, and mixed-method studies are recommended to enhance causal inference and external validity. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs-158631 | en |
| Keyword | Metacognitive Beliefs | en |
| Keyword | Obsessive Beliefs | en |
| Keyword | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | en |
| Keyword | Perfectionism | en |
| Keyword | Responsibility | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Cross-sectional Study of Obsessive Beliefs, Perfectionism, Responsibility, and Metacognitive Beliefs on OCD Symptoms in an Iranian Population | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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