Graf, Anna Katharina (2022) The Effect of Mindfulness on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms mediated by Intolerance of Uncertainty. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Nowadays, mindfulness interventions are very popular and are praised to counteract stress and anxiety. Patients suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience elevated intolerance of uncertainty (IU). Accepting life’s natural uncertainty through mindfulness practices is thought to lower anxiety and thereby reduce OCD symptoms. Based on this idea we propose first that individuals benefit from a mindfulness condition more than from an audiobook control condition. Second, we hypothesize that IU mediates the relationship between mindfulness and OCD symptoms. For this, we conducted an experimental study using a pre-post-follow-up design with a sample of 105 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 35 years. Through an online Qualtrics survey we assessed the participant’s level of OCD symptoms pre and post intervention. The interventions included 10-minute sessions on 12 consecutive days. The results showed that our mindfulness condition did not have greater effect compared to the active control group. Further, our mediation analysis did not support our prediction that IU would mediate the relationship between mindfulness and OCD symptoms. Nevertheless, we found evidence that change in IU predicts change in OCD symptoms. These findings extend the literature on interventions and factors influencing OCD. Individuals with OCD symptoms can benefit from our findings by training their tolerance of uncertainty and thereby reducing their symptoms. Keywords: obsessive-compulsive disorder, intolerance of uncertainty, mindfulness
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Ostafin, B.D. and Papenfuss, I. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Psychology (CP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2022 12:31 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Sep 2022 12:31 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1408 |
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