Examining the association between symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and scrupulosity in Malta

Abstract

Previous studies have established an association between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and scrupulosity, which involves obsessions and/or compulsions of a religious nature. The present study aimed to examine the association between OCD and scrupulosity in Malta. This was done using a quantitative methodology which involved utilizing four self-administered questionnaires: the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity (PIOS), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21), and the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ-20). A total of 84 participants took part in the study. The ages ranged between 18 and 73 years old. The average age was 30 years old (M = 30.4). The majority of the participants (n = 59, 70.2%) identified themselves as females, while the remaining participants (n = 25, 29.8%) identified themselves as males. The findings reflected an association between individuals who obtained high scores on the OCD-related questionnaires and scrupulosity, therefore, establishing that this phenomenon is also present in Malta in an adult normative population. Moreover, such individuals were also found to have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. All the variables in the OBQ scale were associated with scrupulosity, with an especially strong association with the Importance and Control of Thoughts. This suggested that individuals with symptoms of OCD possibly recognised that their thoughts elicited feelings of distress and intrusion, which are common symptoms in OCD. The findings obtained from the present study paved the way for future research on the topic in Malta.