Cognitive and Metacognitive Structures and Processes in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to review and discuss the cognitive and metacognitive structures and processes in the etiology Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Studies concerned cognitive structures research dysfunctional thoughts and primary negative appraisals in OCD and use self-report inventories. At the other hand studies concerned cognitive process research cognitive deficient, information processing problems or biases and use performance measurements. However studies at the cognitive level have not explained OCD in an effective way, because of not using proper measurements, properties of participants and inconsistent results. Thus studies at the metacognitive level which focuses on appraisals, monitoring and control of cognitive structures and process. Metacognitive structure studies explain OCD secondary negative appraisal and metacognition; which appraise, monitor and control cognitive structure and process by using self-report inventories. Metacognitive process studies explain OCD executive function; which monitor control, cognitive process; and use performance measurements. In literature it is stated that metacognitive level studies explain OCD in more effective way than cognitive level studies. However metacognitive structure studies and process studies have some problems because of having same results with using different measurements, and operational definitions. By the way there is confusion in literature. Thus in this study implicated further studies taking consideration both metacognitive structure and metacognitive process.