Predictors of Scrupulosity in Turkish and American Samples

Scrupulosity is a subtype of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in which individuals have recurring intrusive thoughts regarding religious and moral sin. The present study used the Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity (PIOS), with the subscales Fear of Sin (FOS) and Fear of God (FOG), to measure Scrupulosity. Predictor variables included general distress, mental contamination, strength of religiosity, inferential confusion, and OCD symptoms. Relationships between predictor and outcome variables were compared in a Muslim Turkish sample and a U.S. sample, which is generally influenced by Judeo-Christian culture. An association was found between all predictor variables and both PIOS subscales in each sample. Furthermore, linear regressions for the Turkish sample found that all variables uniquely predicted both FOS and FOG. The U.S. sample found that all variables, except general distress, were uniquely predictive of both FOS and FOG. Findings from this study are important to a better understanding and classification of scrupulosity. Additionally, examining this form of OCD and how it differs between religions and cultures is critical to improving the well-being of individuals with the disorder.