Exploring the link between thought-action fusion and symptom-based shame in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

The emotion of shame has been found to be closely related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thought-action fusion (TAF) might explain this relationship, but its causal role with regard to symptom-based shame is unclear. There is growing evidence showing that the metacognitive intervention of detached mindfulness (DM) helps to prevent the development of TAF and thereby shame. The current study investigates, (1) if a TAF induction condition with violent content increases shame compared to a control induction condition with neutral content in randomized nonclinical participants with heightened OCD symptoms (n = 88), and (2) if a subsequent brief DM intervention shows a preventive effect for developing shame compared to a control condition about mnemonic techniques. An ANOVA showed that shame in participants of the TAF induction significantly increased compared to the control condition. In a second ANOVA, the DM intervention failed to show a preventive effect on developing TAF and shame in a following TAF induction experiment compared to the control condition. The present findings suggest the importance of TAF beliefs for the development of shame. A more intense DM intervention or additional (meta-)cognitive interventions might be necessary to prevent the development of shame.