The Predictive Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Problem-Solving Methods in the Severity of Preclinical Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms

It is assumed that the level of cognitive flexibility and maladaptive problem-solving methods, probably lead to the exacerbation of preclinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Therefore, an attempt has been made to show how the level of cognitive flexibility and the type of problem-solving methods can predict the severity of premorbid symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. Sampling was done using cluster sampling among university students. The number of samples was 263 people. In addition,      the data analysis method was regression. It was shown that problem-solving methods based on thinking and feeling significantly predict obsessive-compulsive slowness. It was also observed that feeling-focused problem-solving can significantly predict obsessive-compulsive hesitation. It seems that encouraging people to use a specific model of problem solving, such as just thinking, can lead to a decrease in individual functions, especially executive functions. Moreover, finding the optimal level of cognitive flexibility based on reality can increase the efficiency and satisfaction of a person.