Morality in OCD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring morality in obsessive compulsive disorder using a grounded theory approach
IRAS ID
202323
Contact name
Cleo McIntosh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore morality in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) using qualitative methodology. Current cognitive theories of OCD focus on responsibility (Salkovskis, 1998), and the association between high levels of anxiety and a fear of being held responsible for causing harm. Advances in OCD research have not translated to treatment outcomes (Clark, 2015) indicating exploration of different factors is needed. One area, that has not received sufficient attention, with potential to advance our understanding of OCD, is morality and the role it plays in the development and maintenance of this debilitating disorder. Moral psychology, looks at how people make distinctions between right and wrong, deciding whether to act or not, inline with their moral judgements (Mancini & Gangemi, 2013). A better understanding of the role moral judgements play in OCD, and how this may link to responsibility, has the potential to provide further avenues for treatment innovation.
As the study is interested in exploring the role morality plays for people with OCD, participants will be asked about their experiences when they make moral decisions in an open and non-judgemental way, during a semi-structured interview, to gain a rich understanding of their morality, moral judgements, and motivations for moral action. The qualitative data will be analysed to generate a theory that is grounded in the data, using what is known as grounded theory. Grounded theory was developed specifically to open up space for new contextualised theories by looking closely at participants’.
Eligible participants will be over 18 years, have a diagnosis of OCD, and be fluent in English. The study will recruit from NHS services and OCD charities and take place at NHS sites, Royal Holloway University of London, or participant’s homes, dependent upon availability and participant preference.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1028
Date of REC Opinion
2 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion