The Relationship Between Trait Guilt, Disgust Propensity, and Contamination Fear

Abstract

Both increased disgust propensity and trait guilt have demonstrated associations with OCD symptoms. Disgust propensity and guilt cognitions both can include moral components of their negative evaluations. In particular, when the offending stimulus is the self, individuals may evaluate themselves as committing an error, resulting in feelings of guilt and disgust. While relations between disgust and guilt have independently been examined in relation to OCD symptoms, the present study examines disgust propensity as a mediator between trait guilt and contamination-related OCD symptoms in a community sample (N = 480). Results supported hypotheses, demonstrating correlations between both trait guilt and disgust propensity with contamination fears. Additionally, disgust propensity is supported as a partial mediator between trait guilt and contamination fears. Clinical implications of findings and suggestions for future research are presented.