Exploring the Autogenous/Reactive Obsessions and Worry Continuum

College of Letters & Science, Esper, Rachael, Lee, Han Joo, Mentor, Poster Presentation, Psychology, School and College, Student

Rachael Esper, “Exploring the Autogenous/Reactive Obsessions and Worry Continuum”
Mentor: Han Joo Lee, Psychology
Poster #17

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions can be divided into two categories: reactive obsessions (RO) and autogenous obsessions (AO). It is theorized that ROs are influenced by environmental threats, whereas AOs are influenced by unacceptable thoughts. Previous research found that AO and RO subtype scores, measured by the Revised Obsessional Intrusion Inventory (ROII), show unique associations with worry-like symptoms with RO symptoms aligning more with worry compared to AO. Therefore, in the current study, we hypothesized BOSI RO scores would predict PSWQ worry scores better than BOSI AO scores. Participants identified as largely female (79.5%; 15.2% male; 5.1% prefer to self-describe; 0.2% prefer not to say), whose ages range from 18-59 (M = 22.2 years, SD = 4.6), identified primarily as non-Hispanic (85.5%; 14.5% non-Hispanic) and identified as primarily White (68.8%; 9.3% Asian; 7.9% Black or African American; 7.0% Multiple; 5.4% Other; 1.6% Refused to answer). Participants took a series of self-report questionnaires relating to demographics, intrusive thoughts (BOSI), and general worry (PSWQ). Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to examine the contribution of the BOSI subtype scores, AO and RO, in predicting the PSWQ worry scores. Overall, it was found that BOSI RO scores strongly predict PSWQ worry scores (β = 0.44, p < 0.001), whereas BOSI AO scores do not (β = 0.015, p = 0.795). This study further supports the autogenous/reactive and worry continuum demonstrated in the current follow-up study that employed the BOSI questionnaire to measure AO and RO symptoms, versus the ROII from the previous study. These findings benefit the understanding of AO/RO subtypes, which may contribute to producing more accurate assessment and treatment in the context of heterogeneous OC symptoms.