Attachment and reassurance seeking in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

This study investigated the role of attachment processes in the development of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Excessive reassurance seeking is considered a common safety-seeking behaviour in the context of OCD, which has received less research attention than other symptoms. The current study found a robust association between attachment anxiety and reassurance-seeking behaviour. The results suggested that individuals with a negative view of the self, coupled with a positive view of others, were more vulnerable to developing excessive reassurance-seeking behaviour. This research highlights the importance of considering attachment processes in the development and maintenance of OCD symptoms.