Metacognitions, guilt sensitivity, psychological distress

Mental health problems are linked to one's thoughts, emotions, cognitive and metacognitive functioning. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder affects individual's thought pattern, behavior and mood. It is ranked the top 10 of the most disabling illnesses by World Health Organization. Studies concluded that OCD is the 4th most common mental disorder after depression, alcohol and substance misuse, and social phobia with lifetime prevalence in community surveys of about 2-3%. According to cognitive models of OCD, dysfunctional cognitive beliefs and responses to these beliefs contribute to the development and maintenance of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Wells (1997) stated that dysfunctional cognitions about cognitive processes and maladaptive metacognitive regulatory strategies are the most important factors contributing to OC symptoms, whereas dysfunctional cognitive beliefs are only a by-product of metacognitive processes. This research will attempt to explore the role of metacognition in understanding OCD in the context of maintenance and severity of symptoms.