Self-Determination as a Predictor of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms among Emerging Adults

By : Prachi Sanghvi, V. Premanand

Page No: 381-388

Abstract
Small amount of obsessional traits put in a quality of worth and stability to personality and prove as important assets. If they exist in evident degree, they are hampering, cause high level of mental inertia, indecisiveness, clinical decompensation and liability to clinical syndromes like obsessive compulsive disorder. The symptoms of about two thirds of affected people have an onset prior to age 25. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to find whether self-determination predicts obsessive-compulsive symptoms among emerging adults. 289 participants between the ages of 18-25 were selected. The tools used were Self-Determination Scale and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised. Regression analysis was used as a statistical tool. The results revealed that selfdetermination significantly predicted obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Both the dimensions of self-determination, namely, awareness of self and perceived choice with respect to behaviour significantly predicted obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Individually, the dimension of awareness of self negatively predicted obsessivecompulsive symptoms better. When perceived choice dimension was combined with awareness of self, it increased the predictability of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Therefore, more the person is aware of his feelings and his sense of self, and the more he feels that he has a sense of choice with respect to his behaviour, less would be his obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Authors :
Prachi Sanghvi : Department of Clinical Psychology, St. Agnes Centre for Post-Graduate Studies and Research, Bendur, Mangaluru- 575002, Karnataka, India.
V. Premanand : Head, Department of Clinical Psychology, St. Agnes Centre for Post-Graduate Studies and Research, Mangalore-575002.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2018.13.02.12