Comparison of mental health and locus of control in depressed and obsessive compulsive patients Referred to psychiatric clinics in Kermanshah

Depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders are common mental health problems in people, and several factors play a role in these disorders. One of the most important components of mental health is the locus of control. The aim of this study was to compare the locus of control and mental health in depressed and obsessive-compulsive patients. The research method was descriptive and causal-comparative with the participation of 140 people (70 people with obsessive-compulsive disorder and 70 people with depression) from outpatients referred to Kermanshah psychiatric clinics in 2021. The instrument of the present study included the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Ratter Locus of Control Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests. The results showed that the locus of control of most people (82.1%) was external and the score of mental health and its components were moderate. Although the variables incloud social dysfunction, anxiety disorder, and physical symptoms were more prevalent in obsessive-compulsive disorder than in depressed individuals, this difference was not statistically significant. Depression was more common in depressed people than in obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the difference was statistically significant. Mental health was significantly weaker in obsessive-compulsive disorder than in depressed individuals, although locus of control was not significantly different in the two groups of patients. Depressed and obsessive-compulsive patients have different personality traits, at least in some components of mental health, although they did not show a statistically significant difference in the locus of control, which can be considered to control and treat mental disorders.