Exploring the Factor Structure of the Obsessive-Compulsive Scale

Indianapolis, IN

Current structural models of psychopathology classify Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as a fear disorder (Kotov et al., 2017). The association between OCD and the fear dimension is relatively weak compared to other fear disorders, suggesting that OCD may load onto other dimensions (Watson, 2009). Consistent with findings indicating that abnormal beliefs are fundamental features of OCD, research suggest that there is a significant association between OCD and the thought dysfunction dimension (Stein et al., 2010). The Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (OCS; Gibb, Bailey, Beast, & Lambrith, 1983) assesses individual's degree of obsessive-compulsive traits, yet no study to date has examined the underlying factor structure of this measure. Thus, the current study aims to explore the structure of the OCS in the context of previous findings suggesting OCD is associated with both thought dysfunction and fear. Using data from 1194 participants (487 men, 707 women), we conducted an exploratory factor analysis and found a two-factor solution fit the data (χ2 = 1198.75, p < .001, RMSEA = .067). The first factor appeared to assess intrusive thinking, which should be associated with negative emotionality. The second factor appeared to assess ritualistic behaviors, which reflect disconnections with reality and should be associated with psychoticism. However, correlational analyses indicated that the first factor was associated with both negative emotionality (r = .46, p < .05) and psychoticism (r = .34, p < .05), while the second factor was associated only with negative emotionality (r = .28, p <.05). Potential implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.