Obsessive-Compulsive Personality: Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives And Recent Research Findings

A descriptive overview of obsessive–compulsive personality is presented, and the conclusions of earlier empirical reviews are summarized. Perspectives on etiology are reviewed, emphasizing the convergence of classical analytic, other psychodynamic, and social learning viewpoints in the identification of a constellation of causal psychosocial factors. Statistical studies over the last decade are then reviewed, assessing their methodological adequacy and the extent to which they support theoretical formulations and clinical observation, description, and prediction. Issues in differential diagnosis are discussed. Suggestions for future research directions are made.