The role of self-construals in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Our sense of self is central to how we experience the world and provides an important foundation with which to understand psychological health. This thesis examined the role of self-contruals in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, a highly debilitating anxiety disorder considered to be amongst the most common and disabling psychiatric conditions. With the use of questionnaire, interview and computer based experiments, results on 140 volunteers demonstrated that self-processes are involved in both the development and maintenance of Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder. These findings are important because they increase our theoretical understanding of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and suggest ways that we may improve patient adherence and outcomes of psychological treatment.