Visual, Tactile, and Auditory “Not Just Right” Experiences: Associations With Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Perfectionism

Abstract “Not just right” experiences (NJREs), or uncomfortable sensations associated with the immediate environment not feeling “right,” are thought to contribute to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptomatology. The literature suggests that NJREs are experienced across sensory modalities; how...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavior therapy 2014-09, Vol.45 (5), p.678-689
Main Authors: Summers, Berta J, Fitch, Kristin E, Cougle, Jesse R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Auditory Perception - physiology
Behavior modification
Behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy
Biological and medical sciences
Emotions - physiology
Female
Humans
in vivo tasks
incompleteness
Male
Medical sciences
Mental health care
Middle Aged
Neuroses
obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - diagnosis
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - physiopathology
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - psychology
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
perfectionism
Personality Inventory
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Self Concept
Surveys and Questionnaires
Thinking - physiology
Touch Perception - physiology
Treatments
Visual Perception - physiology
Young Adult
“not just right” experiences
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Summary:Abstract “Not just right” experiences (NJREs), or uncomfortable sensations associated with the immediate environment not feeling “right,” are thought to contribute to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptomatology. The literature suggests that NJREs are experienced across sensory modalities; however, existing in vivo measures have been restricted to visual inductions (e.g., viewing and/or rearranging a cluttered table). The present study used a large undergraduate sample ( N = 284) to examine 4 in vivo tasks designed to elicit and assess NJREs across separate sensory modalities (i.e., visual, tactile, and auditory). Task ratings (discomfort evoked, and urge to counteract task-specific stimuli) were uniquely associated with self-report measures of NJREs, OC symptoms (ordering/arranging, checking, and washing), and certain maladaptive domains of perfectionism (doubts about actions, and organization). Findings have implications for experimental research and clinical work targeting NJREs specific to particular senses.
ISSN:0005-7894
1878-1888
DOI:10.1016/j.beth.2014.03.008