Latent structure of obsessions: A taxometric analysis

Despite the importance of obsession in obsessive-compulsive disorder research, it remains unclear whether its latent structure is dimensional or categorical. Dimensional models of obsession propose that obsession is best captured by a continuum ranges from normal intrusive thoughts to highly distressing obsessions. In contrast, categorical models of obsession posit that obsession is a discrete clinical symptom that is qualitatively different from normal intrusive thoughts. These two types of models have different views on etiology, assessment, and treatment of obsession. The objective of the present study was to examine the latent structure of obsession using taxometric procedures. A total of 1074 undergraduate students participated in this study. Five obsessions (mistakes/accidents, dirt/cleaning, fatal contamination, aggressive acts/impulses, and sexual acts/impulses) were examined using three non-redundant taxometric procedures (MAMBAC, MAXEIG, and L-Mode). Results suggest that obsession is more accurately characterized by a dimensional structure rather than a categorical structure. Implications for assessment and conceptual model of obsessions are discussed.