The relationship between insight and uncertainty in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of insight and checking-related uncertainty in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Sampling and methods: Twenty OCD patients with checking compulsions and without current comorbidity were recruited. We used an experimental paradigm that gave subjects the opportunity to check during a decision-making task, thereby allowing for the calculation of a response time index (RTI) as the 'uncertainty cost' during decision-making. The level of insight was assessed with the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS).

Results: Regression analyses indicated a significant positive correlation between RTI and BABS scores (r = 0.49).

Conclusions: The level of insight is related to cognitive characteristics underlying OCD symptoms, in particular, checking-related uncertainty in checking OCD patients.

Study limitations: The absence of a comparison group and the low number of included patients are the main limitations of the present study.