Abstract
There is a growing interest in the role of culture in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, yet cultural studies to date have suffered from methodological limitations and lack a clear theoretical framework. In the current study, we adopted a rigorous methodological approach, and a clear cultural psychological framework. We compared the structure and frequency of obsessions in non-clinical samples (N = 706) from Belgium, a Western culture, and Turkey, a non-Western cultural context. Obsessions were measured by a newly compiled instrument that included a broad range of obsessions. Cross-cultural equivalence of the structure of obsessions was assessed both in the pooled data, and in each culture separately. At an abstract level, we found a two-factor structure that was cross-culturally invariant, and that fit both cultures equally well. These two types of obsessions each corresponded with a different model of agency. Compared to the Turkish sample, the Belgian sample reported more obsessions that can be understood from a disjoint (independent) model of agency as frequently found in Western cultures, whereas the Turkish sample, compared to their Belgian counterparts, reported more obsessions that can be tied to a conjoint (shared) model of agency as frequently found in non-Western cultural contexts. Differences in the prevalent types of obsessions were systematic and interpretable, therefore. In addition to the cross-culturally equivalent two-factor structure, we found culture-specific factor solutions; these solutions point to cultural differences in the experience of obsessions that have yet to be fully understood. In the Discussion, we outline future directions of the research on culture and obsessions.
Highlights
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition that has been found across the world (Staley and Wand, 1995; Sasson et al, 1997)
The first section presents the dimensions of obsessions that the Turkish and Belgian samples had in common based on pooled data
We present the culturally unique dimensions that best explained the data in each culture
Summary
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous condition that has been found across the world (Staley and Wand, 1995; Sasson et al, 1997). Individuals who experience obsessions often show compulsive behaviors, in an attempt to reduce anxiety related to obsessions (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Obsessions have been found in individuals around the world, it is not clear whether their experience is universal. Research on OCD in non-Western samples has yielded both similarities and differences with obsessions in Western samples. Firm conclusions are hard to draw, because the existing research has examined cultural differences in the level of obsessions, without ascertaining that the dimensional structure of obsessions (i.e., the meanings and associations between obsessions) is the same across cultures. No research before has started from a theory of why there might be cultural differences in obsessions. A theoretical framework to understand why differences in obsessions might occur has been missing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
