Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

The Relationship Between Fear of Self and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Emerging Adults

Year 2025, Volume: 62 Issue: 62, 206 - 223, 22.07.2025

Atanur Akar

https://doi.org/10.15285/maruaebd.1663947

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between fear of self and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in emerging adults. The research employed a relational survey design and utilized convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 242 emerging adults. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analysis. A one-unit increase in fear of self was associated with a 0.519-unit increase in the total OCD symptom level, a 0.271-unit increase in the cleanliness dimension, a 0.677-unit increase in the preoccupation dimension, a 0.316-unit increase in the control dimension, a 0.323-unit increase in the impulses dimension, and a 0.310-unit increase in the certainty dimension (p < 0.001). The total symptom level of participants who perceived their social support as partially adequate was found to be 0.235 units lower than that of those who perceived it as inadequate (p < 0.05). The symptom levels in the impulse sub-dimension were 0.368 and 0.316 units lower among participants who perceived their social support as adequate and partially adequate, respectively, compared to those who perceived it as inadequate (p < 0.05). Participants without a chronic illness had symptom levels in the cleanliness dimension that were 0.158 units lower than those of participants with a chronic illness (p < 0.05). The results indicate that fear of self significantly contributes to the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Additionally, perceived social support and the presence of chronic illness emerge as other key factors influencing symptom severity. Cognitive interventions targeting fear of self may prove effective in reducing the intensity of these symptoms.

Keywords

Emerging adulthood fear of self obsessive-compulsive disorder

References

  • Aardema, F., & Wong, S. F. (2020). Feared possible selves in cognitive-behavioral theory: An analysis of its historical and empirical context, and introduction of a working model. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 24, 100479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100479
  • Aardema, F., Moulding, R., Melli, G., Radomsky, A. S.,Doron, G., Audet, J., & Purcell-Lalonde, M. (2018). Therole of feared possible selves in obsessive–compulsiveand related disorders: A comparative analysis of a corecognitive self-construct in clinical samples. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 25(1), e19–e29. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2121
  • Aardema, F., Moulding, R., Radomsky, A. S., Doron, G., Allamby, J., & Souki, E. (2013). Fear of self and obsessionality: development and validation of the fear of self questionnaire. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 2(3), 306-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.05.005
  • Aardema, F., Wong, S. F., Audet, J. S., Melli, G., & Baraby, L. P. (2019). Reduced fear-of-self is associated with improvement in concerns related to repugnant obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(3), 327–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12214
  • Aguglia, A., Signorelli, M. S., Albert, U., & Maina, G. (2018). The ımpact of general medical conditions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry investigation, 15(3), 246–253. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2017.06.17.2
  • Aguilar, S. L., García-Soriano, G., Roncero, M., Barrada, J. R.,Aardema, F., & O´connor, K. (2019). Validation of the Spanish version of the fear of self questionnaire. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 21, 69–74.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.12.006
  • Akın, A., Çalık, M., Özkaya, S., Yılmaz, S. ve Kurubal, E. (2016). Benlik Korkusu Ölçeği (BKÖ) Türkçe formu: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. V.Sakarya'da Eğitim Araştırmaları Kongresi, bilidir kitabı içinde (ss. 80-84). Sakarya: Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü Yayınları.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Arnett J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood. A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. The American psychologist, 55(5), 469–480.
  • Arnett, J. J., Žukauskienė, R., & Sugimura, K. (2014). The new life stage of emerging adulthood at ages 18-29 years: implications for mental health. The Lancet. Psychiatry, 1(7), 569–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00080-7
  • Beşiroğlu, L., Ağargün, M. Y., Boysan, M., Eryonucu, B., Güleç, M., & Selvi, Y. (2005). Obsesif-kompulsif belirtilerin değerlendirilmesi: Padua Envanteri’nin Türk toplumunda geçerlik ve güvenilirliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 16(3), 179-89.
  • Clark, D. A., & Radomsky, A. S. (2014). Introduction: A global perspective on unwanted intrusive thoughts. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 3(3), 265-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2014.02.001
  • Doron, G. (2020). Self-vulnerabilities, attachment and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms: Examining the moderating role of attachment security on fear of self. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 27, 100575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100575
  • Edwards, V., Salkovskis, P. M., & Bream, V. (2023). Do they really care? Specificity of social support issues in hoarding disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 573–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12426
  • Fernandez, S., Sevil, C., & Moulding, R. (2021). Feared self and dimensions of obsessive compulsive symptoms: Sexual orientation-obsessions, relationship obsessions, and general OCD symptoms. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 28, 100608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100608
  • Godwin, T. L., Godwin, H. J., & Simonds, L. M. (2020). What is the relationship between fear of self, self-ambivalence, and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology? A systematic literature review. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 27(6), 887–901. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2476
  • Jaeger, T., Moulding, R., Yang, Y. H., David, J., Knight, T., & Norberg, M. M. (2021). A systematic review of obsessive-compulsive disorder and self: Self-esteem, feared self, self-ambivalence, egodystonicity, early maladaptive schemas, and self concealment. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 31, 100665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100665
  • Khosravi Roubiat, Z., & Najafi, M. (2023). The mediating role of fear of self and obsessive beliefs in the relationship between inferential confusion and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Journal of Psychological Science, 22(129), 1869-1887.
  • King, K., & Zaboski, B. A. (2024). Social support in obsessive-compulsive disorder: The relationships between social support and readiness to change. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 88(4), 320–335. https://doi.org/10.1521/bumc.2024.88.4.320
  • Latif, N., & Moulding, R. (2024). Lose yourself: feared self, emotion regulation, and obsessive-compulsive and eating disorder symptomatology. Australian Psychologist, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2024.2342808
  • Melli, G., Aardema, F., & Moulding, R. (2016). Fear of self and unacceptable thoughts in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 23(3), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1950
  • Mohamed Abdel Tawab, A., Mahmoud Zedan Abdelhai, S., Mohamed Hussein Abdallah, A., & Elsayed Mohamed Othman, B. (2024). The relationship between perceived parenting behaviors, adult attachment styles, fear of self, and severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 15(2), 965-977.
  • Palardy, V., El-Baalbaki, G., Fredette, C., Rizkallah, E., & Guay, S. (2018). Social support and symptom severity among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder with agoraphobia: A systematic review. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 14(1), 254–286. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1252
  • Riddle, D. B., Fuselier, M. N., Iacono, J. R., Wu, L., & Storch, E. A. (2024). Managing OCD and Anxiety as Emerging Adults. In Care of Adults with Chronic Childhood Conditions: A Practical Guide (pp. 211-217). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Ruscio, A. M., Stein, D. J., Chiu, W. T., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular Psychiatry, 15(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2008.94
  • Sánchez-Meca, J., Rosa-Alcázar, Á. I., Iniesta-Sepúlveda, M., & Rosa-Alcázar, E. (2014). Differential efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacological treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 28(1), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.11.006
  • Solmi, M., Radua, J., Olivola, M., Croce, E., Soardo, L., Salazar de Pablo, G., Il Shin, J., Kirkbride, J. B., Jones, P., Kim, J. H., Kim, J. Y., Carvalho, A. F., Seeman, M. V., Correll, C. U., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2022). Age at onset of mental disorders worldwide: large-scale meta-analysis of 192 epidemiological studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 27(1), 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01161-7
  • van Oppen P. (1992). Obsessions and compulsions: dimensional structure, reliability, convergent and divergent validity of the Padua Inventory. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30(6), 631–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(92)90008-5
  • Visser, H. A., van Oppen, P., van Megen, H. J., Eikelenboom, M., & van Balkom, A. J. (2014). Obsessive-compulsive disorder; chronic versus non-chronic symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 152-154, 169–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.09.004

Beliren Yetişkinlerde Benlik Korkusu İle Obsesif Kompulsif Belirtiler Arasındaki İlişki

Year 2025, Volume: 62 Issue: 62, 206 - 223, 22.07.2025

Atanur Akar

https://doi.org/10.15285/maruaebd.1663947

Abstract

Bu çalışmada beliren yetişkinlerde benlik korkusu ile obsesif kompulsif belirtiler arasındaki ilişkinin incelemesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmanın tasarımı ilişkisel tarama modelidir. Amaçlı örnekleme tekniği kullanılan araştırmanın örneklemini 242 beliren yetişkin oluşturmuştur. Veriler çok değişkenli doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Benlik korkusunda meydana gelen 1 birimlik artışın toplam OKB belirti düzeyini 0,519 birim, temizlik boyutundaki belirti düzeyini 0,271 birim, düşüncelere kapılma boyutundaki belirti düzeyini 0,677 birim, kontrol boyutundaki belirti düzeyini 0,316 birim, dürtüler boyutundaki belirti düzeyini 0,323 birim ve kesinlik boyutundaki belirti düzeyini 0,310 birim artırdığı belirlenmiştir (p<0,001). Algılanan sosyal destek düzeyini kısmen yeterli olarak algılayan katılımcıların toplam belirti düzeyinin yetersiz olarak algılayanlara kıyasla 0,235 birim daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır (p<0,05). Algılanan sosyal destek düzeyini yeterli ve kısmen yeterli olarak algılayan katılımcıların dürtü alt boyutundaki belirti düzeyinin yetersiz olarak algılayanlara kıyasla sırasıyla 0,368 ve 0,316 birim daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır (p<0,05). Kronik hastalığı olmayan katılımcıların temizlik boyutundaki belirti düzeyinin olanlara kıyasla 0,158 birim daha düşük olduğu saptanmıştır (p<0,05). Sonuçlar benlik korkusunun obsesif kompülsif belirtilerin şiddeti yükü üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Algılanan sosyal destek ve kronik hastalık varlığı obsesif kompülsif belirtilerin şiddetini etkileyen diğer önemli faktörlerdir. Obsesif kompülsif belirtilerin şiddetini hafifletmede benlik korkusunu hedef alan bilişsel müdahaleler etkili olabilir.

Keywords

Beliren yetişkinlik benlik korkusu obsesif kompülsif bozukluk

Ethical Statement

Araştırmanın yürütülmesi için Bandırma Onyedi Eylül Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Girişimsel Olmayan Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’ndan, 17.02.2024 tarih ve 2025-02 sayılı toplantıda, 2025-20 başvuru numarasıyla etik onay alınmıştır. Araştırma çevrimiçi platformlar aracılığıyla yürütüldüğü için kurum izni alınmamıştır. Araştırmanın amacı beliren yetişkinlere yazılı olarak açıklanmıştır. Katılımcıların oluşturulan online form üzerinden yazılı onayları alınmış ve çalışma, Helsinki Bildirgesi ilkelerine uygun olarak yürütülmüştür.

Supporting Institution

Yoktur

Thanks

-

References

  • Aardema, F., & Wong, S. F. (2020). Feared possible selves in cognitive-behavioral theory: An analysis of its historical and empirical context, and introduction of a working model. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 24, 100479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2019.100479
  • Aardema, F., Moulding, R., Melli, G., Radomsky, A. S.,Doron, G., Audet, J., & Purcell-Lalonde, M. (2018). Therole of feared possible selves in obsessive–compulsiveand related disorders: A comparative analysis of a corecognitive self-construct in clinical samples. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 25(1), e19–e29. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2121
  • Aardema, F., Moulding, R., Radomsky, A. S., Doron, G., Allamby, J., & Souki, E. (2013). Fear of self and obsessionality: development and validation of the fear of self questionnaire. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 2(3), 306-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.05.005
  • Aardema, F., Wong, S. F., Audet, J. S., Melli, G., & Baraby, L. P. (2019). Reduced fear-of-self is associated with improvement in concerns related to repugnant obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(3), 327–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12214
  • Aguglia, A., Signorelli, M. S., Albert, U., & Maina, G. (2018). The ımpact of general medical conditions in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry investigation, 15(3), 246–253. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2017.06.17.2
  • Aguilar, S. L., García-Soriano, G., Roncero, M., Barrada, J. R.,Aardema, F., & O´connor, K. (2019). Validation of the Spanish version of the fear of self questionnaire. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 21, 69–74.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.12.006
  • Akın, A., Çalık, M., Özkaya, S., Yılmaz, S. ve Kurubal, E. (2016). Benlik Korkusu Ölçeği (BKÖ) Türkçe formu: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. V.Sakarya'da Eğitim Araştırmaları Kongresi, bilidir kitabı içinde (ss. 80-84). Sakarya: Sakarya Üniversitesi Eğitim Bilimleri Enstitüsü Yayınları.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Arnett J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood. A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. The American psychologist, 55(5), 469–480.
  • Arnett, J. J., Žukauskienė, R., & Sugimura, K. (2014). The new life stage of emerging adulthood at ages 18-29 years: implications for mental health. The Lancet. Psychiatry, 1(7), 569–576. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00080-7
  • Beşiroğlu, L., Ağargün, M. Y., Boysan, M., Eryonucu, B., Güleç, M., & Selvi, Y. (2005). Obsesif-kompulsif belirtilerin değerlendirilmesi: Padua Envanteri’nin Türk toplumunda geçerlik ve güvenilirliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi, 16(3), 179-89.
  • Clark, D. A., & Radomsky, A. S. (2014). Introduction: A global perspective on unwanted intrusive thoughts. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 3(3), 265-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2014.02.001
  • Doron, G. (2020). Self-vulnerabilities, attachment and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms: Examining the moderating role of attachment security on fear of self. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 27, 100575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100575
  • Edwards, V., Salkovskis, P. M., & Bream, V. (2023). Do they really care? Specificity of social support issues in hoarding disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 573–591. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12426
  • Fernandez, S., Sevil, C., & Moulding, R. (2021). Feared self and dimensions of obsessive compulsive symptoms: Sexual orientation-obsessions, relationship obsessions, and general OCD symptoms. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 28, 100608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100608
  • Godwin, T. L., Godwin, H. J., & Simonds, L. M. (2020). What is the relationship between fear of self, self-ambivalence, and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology? A systematic literature review. Clinical psychology & psychotherapy, 27(6), 887–901. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2476
  • Jaeger, T., Moulding, R., Yang, Y. H., David, J., Knight, T., & Norberg, M. M. (2021). A systematic review of obsessive-compulsive disorder and self: Self-esteem, feared self, self-ambivalence, egodystonicity, early maladaptive schemas, and self concealment. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 31, 100665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100665
  • Khosravi Roubiat, Z., & Najafi, M. (2023). The mediating role of fear of self and obsessive beliefs in the relationship between inferential confusion and obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Journal of Psychological Science, 22(129), 1869-1887.
  • King, K., & Zaboski, B. A. (2024). Social support in obsessive-compulsive disorder: The relationships between social support and readiness to change. Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 88(4), 320–335. https://doi.org/10.1521/bumc.2024.88.4.320
  • Latif, N., & Moulding, R. (2024). Lose yourself: feared self, emotion regulation, and obsessive-compulsive and eating disorder symptomatology. Australian Psychologist, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2024.2342808
  • Melli, G., Aardema, F., & Moulding, R. (2016). Fear of self and unacceptable thoughts in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 23(3), 226–235. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.1950
  • Mohamed Abdel Tawab, A., Mahmoud Zedan Abdelhai, S., Mohamed Hussein Abdallah, A., & Elsayed Mohamed Othman, B. (2024). The relationship between perceived parenting behaviors, adult attachment styles, fear of self, and severity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 15(2), 965-977.
  • Palardy, V., El-Baalbaki, G., Fredette, C., Rizkallah, E., & Guay, S. (2018). Social support and symptom severity among patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder or panic disorder with agoraphobia: A systematic review. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 14(1), 254–286. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v14i1.1252
  • Riddle, D. B., Fuselier, M. N., Iacono, J. R., Wu, L., & Storch, E. A. (2024). Managing OCD and Anxiety as Emerging Adults. In Care of Adults with Chronic Childhood Conditions: A Practical Guide (pp. 211-217). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  • Ruscio, A. M., Stein, D. J., Chiu, W. T., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular Psychiatry, 15(1), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2008.94
  • Sánchez-Meca, J., Rosa-Alcázar, Á. I., Iniesta-Sepúlveda, M., & Rosa-Alcázar, E. (2014). Differential efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacological treatments for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 28(1), 31-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2013.11.006
  • Solmi, M., Radua, J., Olivola, M., Croce, E., Soardo, L., Salazar de Pablo, G., Il Shin, J., Kirkbride, J. B., Jones, P., Kim, J. H., Kim, J. Y., Carvalho, A. F., Seeman, M. V., Correll, C. U., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2022). Age at onset of mental disorders worldwide: large-scale meta-analysis of 192 epidemiological studies. Molecular Psychiatry, 27(1), 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01161-7
  • van Oppen P. (1992). Obsessions and compulsions: dimensional structure, reliability, convergent and divergent validity of the Padua Inventory. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 30(6), 631–637. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7967(92)90008-5
  • Visser, H. A., van Oppen, P., van Megen, H. J., Eikelenboom, M., & van Balkom, A. J. (2014). Obsessive-compulsive disorder; chronic versus non-chronic symptoms. Journal of Affective Disorders, 152-154, 169–174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2013.09.004
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Psychological Foundations of Education
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Atanur Akar 0000-0002-3117-5212

Early Pub Date June 25, 2025
Publication Date July 22, 2025
Submission Date March 23, 2025
Acceptance Date May 20, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 62 Issue: 62

Cite

APA Akar, A. (2025). Beliren Yetişkinlerde Benlik Korkusu İle Obsesif Kompulsif Belirtiler Arasındaki İlişki. Marmara Üniversitesi Atatürk Eğitim Fakültesi Eğitim Bilimleri Dergisi, 62(62), 206-223. https://doi.org/10.15285/maruaebd.1663947
 Download Cover Image