Comparing Attentional Control and Intrusive Thoughts in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Non Clinical Population

OBJECTIVE Attention is an important factor in information processing; obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are two main emotional disorders with a chronic course. This research examined the relationship among attentional control and intrusive thoughts (worry, rumination and obsession) in these disorders. It was hypothesized that attentional control is a common factor in OCD and GAD. In addition, we compared worry, rumination and obsession among OCD, GAD and non- clinical participants. METHOD The research sample included three groups: OCD (n = 25), GAD (n = 30) and non- clinical samples (n = 56). Data were collected using the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), Rumination Response Scale (RRS), Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed using MANOVA and MANCOVA by SPSS-17. RESULT Multivariate Analysis of Variance revealed that the OCD and GAD groups reported greater deficits in attentional control, higher obsessive-compulsive symptoms, rumination, worry, anxiety and depression compared to the control group. CONCLUSION This research indicated a great attentional deficit in obsessive- compulsive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. However, no significant difference was found between these two disorders.