A preliminary investigation of the mediating roles of self-compassion and emotion dysregulation in the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research has highlighted an association between maladaptive perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not well understood. The primary aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether self-compassion and emotion dysregulation independently mediated this relationship. The secondary aim was to determine whether serial mediation existed between these factors. Whether these relations held for overall obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, versus distinct dimensions of OCD, was also of interest. METHOD: Three hundred and ninety-two university students (Mage = 21.81, SD = 8.01), predominantly female (79.18%), participated in an online questionnaire that included a dimensional measure of OCD. Scales assessing maladaptive perfectionism, self-compassion, emotion dysregulation, and negative emotion states were also included. RESULTS: Greater maladaptive perfectionism was related to more severe OCD. Emotion dysregulation, but not self-compassion, independently mediated this relationship. A serial mediation relationship was found, in that greater maladaptive perfectionism was associated with lower self-compassion, which was linked to greater emotion dysregulation, and in turn related to more severe OC behaviors. In addition, distinct patterns emerged for separate OC dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight emotion regulation and self-compassion as potential targets for OCD prevention, especially in individuals with symptoms in the symmetry and unacceptable thoughts dimensions.

Treatment barriers, preferences and histories of individuals with symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with mental health concerns face many barriers when accessing psychological treatment. Even when patients overcome these barriers, they often do not receive an evidence-based treatment. Although the current literature highlights these issues clearly across psychological disorders, the research is limited in relation to body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). AIM: The aim of this study was to examine psychological treatment barriers, treatment delivery preferences and treatment histories of individuals with symptoms of BDD. METHOD: A total of 122 participants with clinically significant BDD symptoms (94% female; mean age = 34.19 years, SD = 10.86) completed the cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The most frequently reported barriers to accessing psychological treatment for individuals with BDD symptoms were the cost of treatment (41%) and the belief that the symptoms did not warrant treatment (36%). Although 69% of treatment-seeking participants reported previously receiving cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for BDD, only 13% of participants appeared to receive best-practice CBT. The preferred modality of future psychological treatment delivery was face-to-face treatment with a therapist once a week (63%), rather than accelerated or remote treatment approaches. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that there are significant barriers to accessing CBT for BDD. Reducing these barriers, as well as increasing consumer mental health literacy, is required to improve treatment access and treatment outcomes for individuals with BDD.