A Study of Big Five Personality Traits in Individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

BACKGROUND: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) consists of various symptoms and monosymptomatic patients are quite rare. A more dimensional approach used to divide OCD symptoms into clusters is used especially for research purposes. The older concept of visualizing OCD through the lens of personality disorders has now evolved to understanding it through personality traits. Evaluating the relationship of various OCD dimensions with personality traits may provide vital etiological, theoretical and clinical information. AIM: The present study aims to assess the relationship between Big Five personality traits and dimensions of OCD METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 individuals diagnosed with OCD (ICD-10) were recruited in this cross-sectional study through purposive sampling from the inpatient or outpatient department of LGBRIMH, Tezpur. The assessment was done using self-formulated sociodemographic and clinical variable proforma, Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI-3), Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS). Correlational analysis was performed and regression models were explored. RESULTS: It was found that agreeableness had a weak negative correlation with unacceptable thoughts (r = -0.257, p < 0.05). Whereas conscientiousness had a weak positive relationship with harm, injury, and bad luck (r = 0.262, p < 0.05). No other significant relationship was found between dimensions of OCD and personality traits.