Neurocognitive flexibility, perfectionism and obsessive beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Introduction: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous disorder, therefore, it is assumed that a number of reasons lie behind OCD. In this study, three possible factors, namely neurocognitive flexibility, perfectionism, and obsessive beliefs, were investigated. Although it is stated that these factors underlie OCD, those findings are controversial. Aim and Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is evaluating the relationship between neurocognitive flexibility and obsessive beliefs while determining whether this potential relationship is specific to OCD. The hypothesis is neurocognitive flexibility, obsessive beliefs and perfectionism have a role in etiology of OCD. Furthermore, as perfectionism and obsessive beliefs increase, neurocognitive flexibility may deteriorate in OCD. Method: Berg Card Sorting Test (BCST), Trail Making Test (TMT) and Category Fluency Test were used to assess neurocognitive flexibility. Hewitt Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and Obsessional Beliefs Questionnaire were applied to evaluate perfectionism and obsessive beliefs. The study included sixty-six OCD patients and 75 healthy participants with no psychiatric history. Results: Patients had more perfectionist personality traits and their levels of obsessive beliefs were higher than healthy group. TMT performance was worse in OCD than controls. There was no significant relationship between obsessive beliefs and neurocognitive flexibility. Contamination subgroup of OCD was worse in TMT than patients who have not those symptoms. Aggressive subgroup and responsibility/threat estimation; religious/taboo subgroup and importance/control of thoughts were associated. Conclusion: Neurocognitive flexibility and obsessive beliefs/perfectionism were not correlated, however, these variables differed significantly among subgroups of OCD. Key Words: obsessive-compulsive disorder, neurocognitive flexibility, executive functions, perfectionism, obsessive beliefs.