Differentiating Scrupulosity and Religiosity: The Mediating Role of Fear of Self, Inferential Confusion, and Obsessive Beliefs in Mental and Contact Contamination.

Abstract

This study explores the distinct roles of religiosity and scrupulosity in relation to cognitive factors-obsessive beliefs, fear of self, and inferential confusion-across contact and mental contamination (MC). Unlike prior research, it examines how religiosity and scrupulosity differentially predict contamination concerns through these cognitive factors. A sample of 235 undergraduates (83.4% female, M = 18.84 years) completed self-report measures assessing contamination types, scrupulosity, religiosity, fear of self, inferential confusion, and obsessive beliefs. Results showed that scrupulosity, compared with religiosity, was a stronger predictor of contamination, particularly MC, suggesting the importance of distinguishing between normative religious belief and pathological doubt. Fear of self and inferential confusion mediated the link between scrupulosity and MC, while inferential confusion alone mediated contact contamination. These findings highlight the distinct cognitive pathways underlying mental and contact contamination and emphasize the clinical relevance of targeting scrupulosity, fear of self, and inferential confusion-rather than religiosity-in interventions for contamination-related obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Limitations include the sample's limited generalizability, cross-sectional design, and Western context, which may not fully capture cultural and religious influences.