Perception of memory ability and confidence in recollections in obsessive-compulsive checking.

Full Abstract

Inconsistencies in research on deficits in memory for actions in studies of obsessive-compulsive (OC) checking have refocused investigators on beliefs such as confidence in the accuracy of recall as a possible motivation for checking. Poor confidence in relation to recall may be specific (perceived poor recall for a particular event) or general (perceived poor memory ability for that class of events). The present study examines both perception of memory ability and confidence in recollections in OC checkers across a range of situations, obsessive and non-obsessive. These ratings were compared with those of non-checking obsessional patients, anxious controls and non-clinical controls. OC checkers reported poorer perception of memory ability than other groups in situations for which they are responsible, both OC relevant and OC non-relevant. OC checkers also reported lower confidence in recollections compared to the other groups; this was specific to obsessional situations for which they are responsible. These findings are considered in the context of the cognitive model of OCD.

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Author information

Author/s: Cougle, Jesse R (JR); Salkovskis, Paul M (PM); Wahl, Karina (K);

Affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK. cougle(-atsign-)mail.utexas.edu <cougle(-atsign-)mail.utexas.edu>

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of anxiety disorders (J Anxiety Disord), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 21 (issue 1) : pp 118-30

Dates: Created 2007/01/24; Completed 2007/04/20;

PMID: 16650727, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Anxiety - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Aptitude
Depression - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Female
Humans
Male

Male
Memory
Mental Recall
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology
Perception
Questionnaires
Severity of Illness Index

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