Presenting a causal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescents based on psychological flexibility and metacognitive with the mediating role of mindfulness

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is one of the most common psychological disorders in adolescents with a relatively high prevalence. This disorder causes a lot of social and economic costs for the affected people and society and affects their social, educational and occupational functions. The aim of this study was to explain the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder based on psychological flexibility and metacognitive beliefs with the mediating role of mindfulness.

The present study was cross-sectional and correlational. 225 male and female high school students in Aleshtar city in the academic year 1397-98 were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Data collection tools were metacognition questionnaire, obsessive-compulsive disorder questionnaire, acceptance and practice questionnaire and mindfulness questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equations were used to analyze the findings.

The evaluation of the model showed the acceptable fit of the hypothetical model.The results of model analysis showed that the predictor variables of psychological flexibility and metacognitive beliefs were directly and indirectly mediated by the awareness of mindfulness on the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder had a significant effect (p <0.01). Also, the variable of mindfulness had a direct and significant effect on obsessive-compulsive disorder (p <0.01).

The results indicate that psychological flexibility and adjustment of dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs can reduce the symptoms of obsession, and Meanwhile, mindfulness as a mediating variable is part of the process of reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms.