Predicting and explaining relationship obsessive-compulsive symptoms based on insecure attachment styles

Introduction: Regarding the importance of investigating the relationship between insecure attachment styles and Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive (ROC) symptoms, the present study aimed to predict ROC symptoms due to insecure attachment of the anxiety and avoidance type in the student population. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and correlational research, the statistical population included all married students of Tehran universities in the academic year of 2022. The research instruments were the New Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Inventory (PROCSI), New Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (ROCI), and Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R). After removing the incomplete questionnaires, the data related to 111 people (17 men and 94 women) were analyzed. Simultaneous correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the data. Results: Anxious and avoidant insecure attachment can predict significantly 27% of the variance of PROCSI scores (P= 0.001). Anxious and avoidant insecure attachment can predict 29% of the variance of ROCI scores significantly (P= 0.001). Avoidant and especially anxious insecure attachment in a meaningful model was able to predict the signs of obsession with the relationship with the spouse (P 0.01). Conclusion: Insecure attachment is important in creating Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD). We found a relationship between self-perception and others-perception and symptoms of ROCD.