Thought Control Strategies and Symptom Dimensions in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Associations With Treatment Outcome

Treatment effectiveness of exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might be attenuated in part because of the complex, heterogeneous nature of OCD. Previous studies have indicated relationships between thought control strategies and OCD severity. This study replicates and extends these findings by using a dimensional measure of OCD and examining changes in thought control strategies across treatment. Participants included 49 patients with OCD attending residential and intensive outpatient treatment. Statistical analyses revealed significant reduction in worry and punishment thought control strategies from pre- to posttreatment as well as relationships between reduced use of specific thought control strategies and specific types of OCD symptomatology. Findings suggest that developing and employing modified forms of treatment more aligned with individuals’ specific OCD symptomatology could be worthwhile to improve treatment of OCD.