Abstract
Introduction. Schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder consist two severe and debilitating psychological phenomena which seem to share common features. Although their clinical presentation and treatment differ, scientific literature reports an overlap between these two phenomena. This relationship have also been demonstrated both in clinical and healthy populations. The present study emphasizes the role of social punishment in developing the features that characterize these disorders. Method. A total number of 696 adults participated in the study completing self-report questionnaires that characterize elements of obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia as well as a self-report scale of a personal history of social punishment. Results. Findings showed a systematic relationship between the features that characterize obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia and social punishment. A positive relationship also found between obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia extending thus the results of previous studies. Discussion. The findings of the present study are consistent with the results of scientific literature. Furthermore, an interpretation of social punishment as a critical variable of the development and maintenance of the features that characterize both obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia is supported. Finally, a possible mechanism of such an interpretation is discussed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Subjects of Community and Clinical Psychology |
Editors | A. Tsamparli , K. Kounenou |
Place of Publication | Athens |
Publisher | Papazisis Publishing |
Pages | 137-151 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2013 |