The relevance of dysfunctional reasoning to OCD and its treatment: Further evidence for inferential confusion utilizing a new task-based measure

Background and objectives

Previous research has highlighted the role of dysfunctional reasoning processes (i.e. “inferential confusion”) in the development and maintenance of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Inferential confusion has previously been found to be a unique predictor of OC symptoms and has shown specificity for OCD. However, these findings have primarily relied on a single self-report questionnaire, and only a limited number of experimentations have been conducted to establish the specificity of inferential confusion to OCD with alternate measures. The current paper demonstrates the relationship of inferential confusion with OCD symptoms in clinical samples by using a task-based measure of inferential confusion.

Methods

Sixty-four OCD participants, as well as thirty anxious and thirty-four healthy controls completed the recently developed Dysfunctional Reasoning Processes Task (DRPT) and related measures. Thirty-five OCD participants then completed sixteen sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and completed the same measures post-treatment.

Results

As predicted, dysfunctional reasoning was significantly more elevated for those with OCD relative to control groups. Reduced levels of dysfunctional reasoning during CBT were significantly associated with successful treatment outcome.

Limitations

Clinical implications should be interpreted with caution due to the relatively small sample size.

Conclusions

Our findings support the notion that inferential confusion is an important cognitive factor particularly relevant to OCD that needs to be directly addressed as a mechanism of change in CBT.