The Effects of Metacognition on Social Functioning in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of metacognitive beliefs and thought -control strategies on social functioning and obsessivecompulsive symptoms in patients with obsessive -compulsive disorder (OCD). The cross-sectional study sample consisted of 62 patients diagnosed with OCD and 58 healthy controls. OCD was determined by detailed mental examination and the Yale -Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was applied. All the participants completed the Metacognition Questionnaire -30 (MCQ-30), Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), Beck Depression ventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, gender, education, or marital status between the patients and healthy control group (P > 0.05). MCQ-30 total and subgroups scores except positive belief, BDI, and BAI patients with OCD were statistically higher than healthy controls. SFS and the subgroup scores of patients with OCD were statistically lower healthy controls. The results revealed that metacognition was associated with obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and social functioning; functioning was affected by all of symptoms but mainly by depression. Handling metacognition and depressive symptoms may be useful for creasing social functioning of patients with OCD. More studies in the future should consider the results.