The prediction of obsessive–compulsive tendencies: does perfectionism play a significant role?

Salkovskis (Salkovskis, P. M. (1985). Cognitive-behavioral factors and the persistence of intrusive thoughts in obsessional problems. Behavior Research and Therapy, 27, 677–682) has postulated the presence of a dysfunctional responsibility schema in Obsessive Compulsive (OC) patients. Several empirical studies have demonstrated a link between responsibility and OC symptoms. Other cognitive variables have also been pointed out. This study explores the relative contribution of Perceived Danger, Responsibility and Perfectionism in the prediction of OC tendencies in a nonclinical population. 182 participants completed the Responsibility Questionnaire (RQ), the R-Scale (R-S), the Perfectionism Questionnaire (PQ) together with the Padua Inventory (PI). Results showed that responsibility, perceived danger and perfectionism were all moderately related to OC tendencies. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that perfectionism still accounted for a significant part of the PI variance once the other variables were partialed out. Beliefs about Responsibility and Perfectionism were equivalent predictors of OC tendencies. The theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.