Compulsive Symptoms Research Articles

A Network Analysis Study to Evaluate Obsessive-Compulsive Beliefs/Dimensions and Personality Beliefs in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A Cross-Sectional Study in Two Common OCD Subtypes.

Objective: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been considered a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder. Identifying this heterogeneity can lead to better diagnosis and treatment. The two most common OCD subtypes include contamination/cleaning and danger/checking. This study aimed to identify the network structure of OCD symptoms, personality, and obsessive beliefs in these OCD subtypes. Method : 333 patients with OCD were included in the study (156 patients with the danger/check subtype and 177 patients with the contamination/cleaning subtype). In addition, 276 healthy individuals participated in this study. We used a network analysis approach to determine the OCD central symptoms [nodes]. The Personality Beliefs Questionnaire-Short Form [PBQ-SF], Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised [OCI-R], and Obsessional Beliefs Questionnaire-44 [OBQ-44] were used for network estimation. Results: The results indicated that the network structure in healthy individuals was different from the network structure in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder [PwOCD]. In healthy individuals, "obsessive" personality belief and "danger" obsessive belief were the most strength nodes and formed the core of the central communication between symptoms in these subjects. Regarding the contamination/cleaning subtype, the most central symptoms include "washing" obsessive symptom, "danger" obsessive belief, and "wash" obsessive symptom. However, "perfect" obsessive beliefs, "check" obsessive symptoms, and "avoidant" personality beliefs were the most central symptoms in the danger/check subtype. These results demonstrated that each of the studied groups had a unique network structure, which is consistent with the heterogeneous nature of OCD. Conclusion: Different OCD subtypes have different cognitive-behavioral network structures. According to the results of this study, these symptoms should be given priority in OCD theoretical models and treatment strategies.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms in People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objective: Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects the cognitive, mental and emotional order of sufferers and leads to a decrease in their performance. According to this this study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy on obsessive- compulsive disorder symptoms amongst people with the disorder. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental method was employed followed by a pretest-posttest and a two-month follow-up. The population consisted of all people referred to Nik Mehr Counseling and Psychological Services in Tehran in 2020 and 2021. From among them, 45 were selected through convenience sampling method, randomly put in experimental and control groups and received Maudsley's Obsessive-Compulsive Questionnaire. The follow-up was then implemented on subjects by receiving virtual reality exposure for 12 sessions (2 eight-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks) and cognitive-behavioral therapy for 12 sessions (2 forty-five-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. Results were analyzed through ANOVA and Bonferroni Post-hoc Test with SPSS-23. Findings: The results showed that both therapies appeared effective (F=192; Eta=0.67; P<0001) on people with the disorder as they reduced obsession syndromes. Also, the follow-up test indicated that there is no significant difference between the effectiveness of these two therapies on subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, since there is no difference in the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, both can be applied to reduce obsession syndromes amongst people with the disorder.

Prevalence of Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms in Medical and Dental Practitioners with Respect to Gender

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) comprises of mental images that provoke anxiety and fear and are recurrent. Objective: To find the prevalence of OCD symptoms in medical doctors and dentists with respect to gender. Methods: The study design was cross sectional comparative. It was conducted in College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College Lahore. All practitioners irrespective of their age and gender were included in the study. Individuals practiced in a clinic or hospital for less than 6 months were excluded from the study. Obsessive compulsive inventory scale was used for data collection. Results: Gender of medical doctors and dentists and the symptom of washing (p=0.335, p=0.760 respectively), obsessing (p=0.131, p=0.476 respectively), checking (p=0.620, p=1.000 respectively) and neutralizing (p=0.294, p=1.000 respectively) was not significantly associated. The association between the symptom of ordering and gender of medical practitioners (p=0.05) was statistically significant. The association between gender of dental practitioners with hoarding (p=0.188), ordering (p=0.713) and doubting (p=1.000) was non-significant. Conclusions: Among the medical practitioners the symptoms of washing, obsessing, checking and neutralizing were higher in males as compared to the females. Among the dental practitioners the symptom of washing, obsessing and neutralizing were more prevalent in males while the symptom of checking was more prevalent in females. The symptoms of hoarding, ordering and doubting were more prevalent in males in comparison to female medical practitioners. Among the dental practitioners where the prevalence of hoarding was higher in the males while that of ordering and doubting was higher in the females.

Sexual Compulsive Symptoms and General Psychopathology: Exploring the Role of Sexual Orientation in Men

Sexual Compulsive Symptoms and General Psychopathology: Exploring the Role of Sexual Orientation in Men

Self-Compassion and Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in a Non-Clinical Sample: Insights from Network Analysis and Canonical Correlation Analysis

ObjectivesThe goal of the present study was to investigate the hypothesized complex interactions between dimensions of self-compassion and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCD) in a non-clinical sample.MethodFour hundred and twenty-four individuals (273 women) ranging in age from 18 to 83 years (M = 41.00; SD = 14.50) participated in the cross-sectional survey. The participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory—Revised (OCI-R). ResultsCertain dimensions of self-compassion were found to be associated with specific OCD symptoms, with positive dimensions (except Common humanity) correlating with reduced Obsessing, Hoarding, and Ordering, and negative dimensions correlating with all OCD symptoms. Canonical correlation analysis indicated three significant linkages: (1) between Isolation, Over-identification, and Obsessing, (2) between Self-judgment, Over-identification, Ordering, and Checking, and (3) between Self-judgment and Neutralizing. Exploratory graph analysis challenged the structure of the SCS and the OCI-R, suggesting two dimensions of self-compassion, compassionate self-reference and uncompassionate self-reference; and two dimensions of OCD, obsessing and other OCD symptoms. The Obsessing subscale appeared as a bridge between uncompassionate self-reference and OCD symptoms. Compassionate self-reference was negatively correlated with uncompassionate self-reference and obsessing, whereas uncompassionate self-reference was positively correlated with obsessing and OCD symptoms.ConclusionsInvestigation of the associations between self-compassion and psychopathology should avoid aggregating the uncompassionate and compassionate dimensions of self-compassion. The significant associations in the network of self-compassion and OCD symptoms were between uncompassionate self-reference, obsessing, and OCD symptoms.PreregistrationThis study is not pre-registered.

The Psychological and Medical Landscape of Anorexia Nervosa over a Decade: A Retrospective Study of Possible Physical and Psychological Shifts

In recent years, the definition, clinical characteristics, and psychological aspects of anorexia nervosa (AN) have undergone notable changes, influenced by various factors such as biology, psychology, and the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic is one such external factor that has been preliminarily identified as affecting the clinical presentation of AN. This study specifically aims to assess the alterations in psychological and medical features observed in individuals with AN during the pandemic. This study is a retrospective case review of 252 people diagnosed with AN from two different cohorts: 2010–2012 and 2021. A comparison of psychological and medical data was conducted to identify specific differences in the initial clinical evaluation. Additionally, different effects of the pandemic on age cohorts were assessed, with a focus on distinctions between adolescents and adults. Results revealed that the pandemic cohort had a higher number of new cases, with patients being younger and experiencing more severe psychological symptoms. Hospitalization rates upon first access were also elevated, but no significant differences in medical values were observed. Adolescents during the pandemic showed increased episodes of binge eating, decreased obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and greater difficulty in interoceptive awareness. This study reveals distinct differences in symptomatology among patients, with a particular focus on psychological characteristics such as impulsive behaviors and interoceptive awareness. These behavioral and interoceptive changes could have potential considerations in the treatment pathway. Further investigations are warranted to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving clinical presentation of anorexia nervosa after the pandemic.

Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder among Medical Students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent mental disorder. It has an onset during the late teens, thus putting university students at higher risk as a target group. They live in an environment that is full of stressors and factors that may lead to the expression of obsessive compulsion symptoms. The objective of the present research is to explore the prevalence of OCD and its associated symptoms among medical students.
 Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional analytic research at Taibah University in which medical students participated during a year period from December 2021 to 2022. Data collection was through an online self-administered questionnaire with 18 questions on the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised scale (OCI-R) filled out anonymously as well as voluntarily.
 Results: According to the OCI-R used in the study, 69 out of 263 (26%) participants are found to have probable OCD. There was a statistically significant association between participants who reported a history of mental illness and the probability of OCD [p=0.002]. Also, age groups showed statistically significant differences [p=0.007] as well as between academic years [p=0.003], with an increase in the probability of OCD with younger age and early academic years
 Conclusions: This current study has shown a high OCD prevalence among medical students at Taibah University, consistent with other similar studies. There were significant correlations with age, academic year, and history of mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety.

Using smartphones to optimise and scale-up the assessment of model-based planning

Model-based planning is thought to protect against over-reliance on habits. It is reduced in individuals high in compulsivity, but effect sizes are small and may depend on subtle features of the tasks used to assess it. We developed a diamond-shooting smartphone game that measures model-based planning in an at-home setting, and varied the game’s structure within and across participants to assess how it affects measurement reliability and validity with respect to previously established correlates of model-based planning, with a focus on compulsivity. Increasing the number of trials used to estimate model-based planning did remarkably little to affect the association with compulsivity, because the greatest signal was in earlier trials. Associations with compulsivity were higher when transition ratios were less deterministic and depending on the reward drift utilised. These findings suggest that model-based planning can be measured at home via an app, can be estimated in relatively few trials using certain design features, and can be optimised for sensitivity to compulsive symptoms in the general population.

Acceptance and commitment therapy as an add-on treatment for the management of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and long-lasting illness affecting approximately 2% of the population. Up to 40%-60% of patients with OCD do not have satisfactory outcomes, thereby leading to disability in performing daily routine activities. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) provides a substitute for old-fashioned psychotherapies, as it involves the client directly experiencing the problematic emotion, that is, anxiety and obsessions in the case of OCD. To observe the effect of ACT on patients with OCD and compare its effect on obsessive compulsive symptoms, thought control, thought and action fusion, acceptance and action, and depression. A total of 62 patients diagnosed with OCD as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) in the age range between 18 and 60 years, having duration of illness less than two years, both male and female, literate and illiterate, hailing from rural and urban background, were included in the study. For pre- and post-assessment Yale-Brown Obsessive and Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), acceptance and commitment questionnaire, thought control questionnaire, and thought and action fusion questionnaire were used in this study, and ACT was used for management of OCD. There is a significant difference between the groups treated with ACT and those treated as usual, on every domain of thought control questionnaire (TCQ) -- distraction (t = 9.07), social control (t = 11.13), worry (t = 11.93), punishment (t = 16.78), and re-appraisal (t = 16.47). Significance is also seen in the thought and action fusion in the moral domain (t = 16.22), the likelihood domain (t = 16.49), and others (t = 9.23). On Y-BOCS, HDRS, and acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ) both groups show a significant difference between each other. The findings of the present study indicate that ACT is a productive method for patients with OCD as it encourages the patient to accept and integrate their lived experiences, challenges effective responses, and recognizes and eliminates the controlling dimensions.

Investigating the Relationships between Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms (OCS) and Depression Symptoms and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Turkish Adolescents during Covid-19

Abstract Introduction:This study aims at examining the direct and indirect mediating role of the intolerance of uncertainty (IU) variable in the relationship between COVID-19-induced OCS and depression in a Turkish adolescent sample. Methods: The sample consists of 427 people (248 females, 179 males) between the ages of 14-18, living in Turkey and selected by convenient sampling method. The data were collected through the COVID-19 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Scale, Depression, Stress and Anxiety Scale (DASS-21) and Intolerance of Uncertainty Index-A for Children (IUI-A-C). Results: The findings show that COVID-19-induced OCS have strong predictive effects on depression symptoms. The findings also revealed that IU directly and indirectly mediates the relationship between COVID-19 OCD and depression symptoms, as well as its negative predictive effect for depression symptoms. Discussion: It can be said that OCS caused by COVID-19 trigger depressive symptoms in adolescents. In addition, it can be thought that IU, with its mediator effect, may play a triggering role in the emergence of COVID-induced OCS. Another research finding is that IU may be an important transdiagnostic construct for depressive symptoms. Limitations: The current study has also some limitations. First, the study was carried out as a cross-sectional study. The fact that the sample group is non-clinical and a clinical group is not included can be considered as second delimitation. Third, the current study just used scales to evaluate the students’ self-report. At this point, a different perspective can be developed by taking the opinions of the parents. Conclusions: The results show that COVID-19-induced OCS increase depressive symptoms in Turkish adolescents and IU has a mediating effect in this relationship. In addition, the results provide important data for the treatment of mental symptoms related to the pandemic.

Nature vs. Nurture: In What Ways Do Genetic Factors and Environmental Factors Play a Role in the Causation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

This paper reviews the studies and other literature on genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the causation of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The CTSC and belief and appraisal model are two popular explanations for OCD. This research found that OCD is a familial disorder, genetics affect childhood-onset OCD more than adults, and genetic factors play a more significant role in causing obsessive symptoms. Environmental factors are explored based on five learning experiences concluded as the origin of inflated responsibility in patients, parental rearing styles, and stressful or traumatic events likely to correlate with OCD. The gene-environmental interactions are complicated, and future research is needed.

Responsive deep brain stimulation guided by ventral striatal electrophysiology of obsession durably ameliorates compulsion

Treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs in approximately one-third of OCD patients. Obsessions may fluctuate over time but often occur or worsen in the presence of internal (emotional state and thoughts) and external (visual and tactile) triggering stimuli. Obsessive thoughts and related compulsive urges fluctuate (are episodic) and so may respond well to a time-locked brain stimulation strategy sensitive and responsive to these symptom fluctuations. Early evidence suggests that neural activity can be captured from ventral striatal regions implicated in OCD to guide such a closed-loop approach. Here, we report on a first-in-human application of responsive deep brain stimulation (rDBS) of the ventral striatum for a treatment-refractory OCD individual who also had comorbid epilepsy. Self-reported obsessive symptoms and provoked OCD-related distress correlated with ventral striatal electrophysiology. rDBS detected the time-domain area-based feature from invasive electroencephalography low-frequency oscillatory power fluctuations that triggered bursts of stimulation to ameliorate OCD symptoms in a closed-loop fashion. rDBS provided rapid, robust, and durable improvement in obsessions and compulsions. These results provide proof of concept for a personalized, physiologically guided DBS strategy for OCD.

Optimizing antidepressant and clozapine co-prescription in clinical practice: A systematic review and expert recommendations

ObjectivesTo synthesize the information relevant for clinical practice on clozapine-antidepressant co-prescription concerning pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (DDI), adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the co-prescription, antidepressant add-on for clozapine-resistant symptoms and antidepressant add-on for clozapine-induced ADRs. MethodsArticles were identified with MEDLINE, Web of Sciences and PsycINFO search from inception through April 2023. Data were synthesized narratively. ResultsADRs are most often induced by the co-prescription of antidepressants that inhibit CYP enzymes (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine). Fluvoxamine add-on is hazardous because of its potent inhibition of clozapine metabolism and has few indications (lowering daily number of clozapine tablets, reducing norclozapine-induced metabolic disturbances and other dose-dependent clozapine-induced ADRs). ADR frequency may be reduced by therapeutic drug monitoring and knowledge of other factors impacting clozapine metabolism (pneumonia, inflammation, smoking, etc.). Improvement of negative symptoms is the most documented beneficial effect of antidepressant add-on for clozapine-resistant psychotic symptoms. The add-on antidepressant should be chosen according to its safety profile regarding DDI with clozapine: antidepressants inhibiting clozapine metabolism or increasing the anticholinergic load should be avoided. Other indications of antidepressant add-on (affective or obsessive compulsive symptoms, sialorrhea, and enuresis) are poorly documented. ConclusionAntidepressant add-on to clozapine is associated with potential benefits in clozapine users as this strategy may contribute to reduce the burden of clozapine-resistant symptoms or of clozapine-induced ADRs. Further studies are needed to determine whether antidepressant add-on can reduce the risk of clozapine discontinuation.

Prevalence and Pattern of Olanzapine Emergent Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective: Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication and known for metabolic side effects but olanzapine-induced obsessive–compulsive symptoms are another important behavioral side effects which are less studied and only a few case reports reported these side effects. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and pattern of olanzapine-induced obsessive–compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders (BPADs). Methods: Subjects were recruited from psychiatry outpatient department. Subjects with schizophrenia ( n = 41) and BPAD ( n = 18) taking olanzapine at least more than 6 months were evaluated for clinical profile and the presence of obsession and compulsion symptoms by means of Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Symptom (YBOCS) checklist scale and data were collected on the structured format. Results: Eighteen (30.5%) of the 59 patients met YBOCS checklist scale for both obsessive–compulsive symptoms among subjects with schizophrenia and BPAD subjects. The mean duration of olanzapine intake was 2 years and the mean dose of olanzapine was 12.5 ± 5.21 mg in obsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCSs) present subjects and the mean dose was 13.78 ± 5.21 mg in subjects not having OCSs. Contamination was the most common obsession and checking was the most common compulsion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that obsessive–compulsive symptoms occur in a substantial percentage of patients taking olanzapine in schizophrenia and BPAD and most of the subjects had more than one OCS.

Suicidal Risk in People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive anxiety, persistent thoughts (obsessions), and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). The prevalence of OCD in Europe ranges from 0.1-2.3% annually and more common in adults. The risk of suicide increases ten times more in OCD sufferers compared to the non-OCD sufferers with prevalence the OCD sufferers who has thoughts of suicide is 23.3%. This literature review aims to determine the risk factors for suicide in OCD patients so that prevention can be carried out in individuals who have risk factors. In this literature review we conducted a search on the PubMed, Google Schoolar, and Researchgate database using the search keyword “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”, “Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms”, “Suicide”, “Self-murder”, and “Risk Factor”. OCD is a disease with genetic and non-genetic risk factors, can manifest clinically as obsessions and compulsions that occur due to failure in responding to yedasantience signals so that the security motivation system (SMS) will be activated longer than normal. The longer SMS activated, the more depressive symptoms can develop, which tends to give rise to suicidal thoughts. In conclusion, risk factors for suicide in OCD that can be identified earlier will not only help the patient's prognosis but also help them choose treatment steps that are appropriate with the severity of the OCD symptoms.

Psychopathological Characteristics in Patients with Digestive Problems: A Comparative Analysis with a Healthy Control Group

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the psychopathological characteristics of patients with digestive (gastrointestinal) problems with those of a healthy control group. Methods: A total of 70 patients with gastrointestinal issues were referred to the gastroenterology department, and 70 healthy individuals were included in the study. Both groups completed the 90-question mental health questionnaire (SCL-90-R). Results: The results demonstrated significantly higher average scores in the patients' group across various scales, including depression, aggression, somatization, sensitivity in social relationships, obsession, anxiety, phobia, and psychotic symptoms. Overall, the group with digestive problems exhibited more symptoms associated with these eight mental disorders than the healthy control group. However, there were no notable differences between the two groups, except for the presence of paranoid ideations as a distinguishing characteristic. Conclusions: This research unequivocally establishes a strong association between gastrointestinal issues and mental well-being, highlighting the influence of digestive system functioning on mental health. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychopathological aspects related to gastrointestinal conditions.

Obsessive–compulsive symptoms and disorder in clozapine-treated schizophrenia

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive symptoms (OCS) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) are commonly reported in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, the use of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia has been thought to induce or aggravate these disorders. To date, there is a paucity of research regarding the prevalence and associated factors. Hence, this study aims to report the prevalence of OCS and OCD, and examine potential risk factors, in clozapine-treated schizophrenia. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted in the only tertiary hospital for psychiatric patients in Singapore. In total, 162 patients on a stable dose of clozapine were recruited for this study; 159 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were included in the current analysis. Sociodemographic, clinical and treatment factors were analysed to identify factors associated with OCS and OCD. ResultsThe prevalence of OCS and OCD is 21.4% and 12.6% respectively. Factors associated with OCS include younger age (OR:0.96, p=0.033) and younger age of onset of psychosis (OR:0.92, p=0.017). There were no significant factors associated with OCD. However, in an analysis of both OCS and/or OCD, factors associated include younger age (OR:0.96, p=0.027) and younger age of onset of psychosis (OR:0.91, p=0.016). Severity of psychotic illness and Clozapine dose were not associated with OCS or OCD in clozapine-treated schizophrenia. Discussion & conclusionsOur results suggest a high prevalence of OCS and OCD in clozapine-treated schizophrenia which clinicians should routinely screen for. Further research is warranted to establish the link between the factors identified in this study and OCS/OCD in clozapine-treated schizophrenia.

5.39 The Presence and Stability of OCD and Obsessive and Compulsive Symptoms in a Sample of US Children

5.39 The Presence and Stability of OCD and Obsessive and Compulsive Symptoms in a Sample of US Children

Packaging design of cultural-creative products on consumers’ OCD based on cognitive psychology

BackgroundIn response to the large number of obsessive compulsive disorder problems among consumers, many cultural and creative products have used psychological knowledge to improve the packaging design.Subjects and MethodsThe study recruited 100 volunteers as research objects and randomly divided them into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was oriented to the initial packaging of a certain cultural and creative product, while the experimental group was oriented to the packaging of a certain cultural and creative product combined with the concept of cognitive psychology, including the principle of easy understanding and acceptance and the principle of participation. The Yale-Brown OCD severity Scale was used to evaluate the study, and Eviews 11 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsOver the course of the study, the compulsion rating scale score changed from 14 to 13 in the control group, while the compulsion rating scale score changed from 13 to 8 in the experimental group. In the experimental group, the symptoms of OCD patients were significantly relieved (P<0.05). The experimental results show that the application of cognitive psychology to the packaging design of cultural and creative products has a significant impact on consumers’ compulsive psychology.ConclusionsIntroducing the concept of cognitive psychology into the packaging of cultural and creative products can effectively affect the compulsive psychological symptoms of consumers, and provide a potential therapeutic method with research value.

Examining the Impact of Assistive Technology on Psychological Health, Family Education, and Curriculum Research in Japan: Insights from Artificial Intelligence.

This study aims to analyze the effect of psychological health based on artificial intelligence agent technology on the implementation effect of Japanese family education. By combining mobile agent technology and education thought, the system structure and working mechanism of the education support system of agents are studied to build personalized support for the family education system based on mobile agents. A total of 320 Japanese middle school students were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 160 cases in each group. The control group received traditional family health education, while the experimental group received mental health education based on the Agent Technology family education system. The basic information and mental health scores of the two groups of students were compared. The results showed that there were no remarkable differences in the number of male and female cases, weight, height, average age, grade, home address, or family situation between groups (p > 0.05). The psychological health level of the experimental group was considerably superior to that of the control group regarding obsessional symptoms, interpersonal tension and sensitivity, depression, anxiety, learning pressure, maladaptation, emotional imbalance, and psychological imbalance (p < 0.05). In summary, compared with traditional family education, family education of the mental health education system based on agent technology can better improve the level of middle school students' mental health, which can improve student forced symptoms, interpersonal tension and sensitivity, depression, anxiety, learning pressure, maladjustment, emotional imbalance, psychological imbalance, and many other psychological states. Furthermore, personalized support for family education systems based on mobile agents has the advantages of autonomy, responsiveness, initiative, and mobility, which provides a new idea for family education.