Early Mal-Adaptive Schemas and Defense Mechanisms in Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, With and Without History of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Background: Preliminary evidence suggests childhood sexual abuse to play a role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, literature does not talk sufficiently anything about whether exposure to sexual abuse in childhood shall impact the person’s maladaptive schema, defense mechanisms in context of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Objective: The study aimed to examine mal-adaptive schemas and defense mechanisms in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder, with and without history of childhood sexual abuse(N=30). We hypothesized that there would be no significant difference between maladaptive schemas, defense mechanism in patients of obsessive- compulsive disorder with and without history of childhood sexual. Method: Assessments of childhood sexual abuse, OCD symptomatology, and related variables were completed in a sample of OCD patients from both inpatient and outpatient. Student t test was used for analysis of data. Results: Result shows significant difference on schema defectiveness or shame. On défense styles of patients with OCD with and without CSA significant difference was found on projection, intellectualization, splitting self, splitting others and devaluation self. Conclusion: Schema of defectiveness/ shame is predominant early maladaptive schema in patients of OCD with CSA. intellectualization, projection, splitting self, splitting others and devaluation self are the major defenses that are significantly more used by patients of OCD with CSA.