Examination of the effect of metacognition on obsessive compulsive symptoms, anxiety and impulsivity

The connections between metacognitions and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, impulsivity and anxiety have been examined in this research as well as the differences between obsessive-compulsive symptoms, impulsivity and anxiety groups in terms of metacognitions. The sample of the research consists of 300 participants between 18 and 56 years of age. In the research, it has been used the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in order to evaluate the metacognitions of the participants, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – 11- Short Form in order to define their levels of impulsivity, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory-A Trait Scale in order to define their levels of anxiety and Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory in order to evaluate their levels of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. As a result of the research, it was found that metacognitions predict obsessivecompulsive symptoms, anxiety and impulsivity. Obsessive compulsive symptoms were predicted by uncontrollability and danger and need to control thoughts; anxiety symptoms are predicted by uncontrollability and danger, need to control thoughts and; impulsivity symptoms were predicted by lack of cognitive confidence. A difference between obsessive compulsive symptoms, anxiety and impulsivity was found in terms of metacognitions and the difference was observed among the groups of anxiety and impulsivity. In the light of present study and future studies, it is expected to gain improvement in order to prevent and treat psychopathologies related to obsessive compulsive disorders, anxiety and impulsivity as well as the classification of the obsessive compulsive disorder.