Brain Behavioral Systems, Metacognitive Beliefs, and Thought Control Strategies in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Brain behavioral systems have major effect on personality and behavior. Behavioral Inhibitory (BIS) and Behavioral Activity (BAS) systems are related to avoidance and approach behavior، respectively. Hyperactivity and hypoactivity of these systems can lead to a broad domain of psychopathologies. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationships among brain behavioral systems، metacognitive beliefs، and thought control strategies in patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In a correlational study that was conducted in 2011، convenience sampling was used for selecting 80 patients with OCD from two hospitals (22 Bahman and Ibn-e-Sina) in Mashhad، Iran. All subjects completed these questionnaires: Gray-Wilson Personality Questionnaire (GWPQ)، Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30)، Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ)، and Maudsely Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. There were significant relationships between need to control thoughts and self-punishment strategy with BIS (P<. 01). Multiple regression analysis revealed significant role for cognitive self-consciousness، positive beliefs about worry، negative beliefs about uncontrollability and danger (P<. 05); self-punishment and worry strategies (P<. 001); and BIS (P<. 001) in predicting OCD symptoms. There is correlation among behavioral systems، metacognitive beliefs، and thought control strategies in patients with OCD. Being Aware of metacognitive levels and using appropriate thought strategies can clear the relationship of brain behavioral systems with OCD.