The relationship between subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder and temperament and character traits

Objective: The relationship between mental disorders and personality, character and temperament has draw attention for many years. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between OCD subtypes and temperament and character traits. Methods: A total of 103 OCD patients from Aydin Adnan Menderes University Hospital Psychiatry Department outpatient clinics or inpatient service, who were informed about the study, agreed to participate voluntarily, met the diagnostic criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder based on DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview-I and had Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Rating Scale score ≥ 16 were included. All the participents were assessed with following scales: DSM-IV Structured Clinical Interview-I Scale for Axis I disorders, Yale-Brown Obsession Compulsion Rating Scale, Maudsley Obsession Compulsion Inventory (MOCI), Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-44 (OBQ-44), Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory, TEMPS-A Temperament Scale and Temperament Character Inventory (Turkish-TCI), sociodemographic data form. OCD subtypes were determined based on MOCI and OBQ-44. Thus, the relationship between OCD subtypes and temperament and character traits was examined by using MOCI and OBQ-44 scores. Results: Considering the association between TCI subscale dimensions and OCD subtypes determined according to MOCI, a statistically significant negative association was found between control, doubt and rumination subtypes of OCD and self-directedness. A statistically significant negative association was found between cleaning subtype of OCD and novelty seeking. A statistically significant positive association was found between doubt and slowness subtypes of OCD and self-transcendence. Considering the association between affective temperament and OCD subtypes determined according to MOCI, a statistically significant positive association was found between control subtype of OCD and cyclothymic temperament. A statistically significant positive association was found between cleaning and slowness subtypes of OCD and irritable temperament. A statistically significant positive association was found between rumination subtype of OCD and cyclothymic and anxious temperament. In addition, a statistically significant positive association was found between the slowness and doubt subtypes of OCD and the BDI score. Considering association between TCI subscale dimensions and OCD subtypes determined according to OBQ-44, a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the responsibility/threat estimation subscale dimension and novelty seeking and self-directedness. While a statistically significant negative association was found between perfectionism/certainty subscale and novelty seeking, a statistically significant positive association was found between perfectionism/certainty subscale and persistence. Considering the association between affective temperament and OCD subtypes determined according to OBQ-44; a statistically significant positive association was found between the responsibility/threat estimation subscale and anxious temperament. A statistically significant positive association was found between perfectionism/certainty subscale and irritable temperament. A statistically significant positive association was found between importance/control of thoughts subscale and depressive temperament. In addition, a statistically significant positive association was found between perfectionism/certainty and importance/control thoughts subscale dimensions and BDI score. Conclusion: To our knowledge, there is no study in the literature investigating the relationship between OCD subtypes and temperament-character. According to the findings of our study, a relationship between OCD subtypes and some temperament and character traits was found. While some of these relationships are compatible with literature, some of them need to be confirmed and supported by new data in future studies. Keywords: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Temperament, Character, Subtype