Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals

IntroductionRelationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of relationship-centered or partner-focused obsessions and compulsions that determine a great sense of doubt toward the partner or the relationship. Personality characteristics, including perfectionism, are invol...

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Main Authors: Nicole Loren Angelo, Greta Brullo, Alessandro Marsiglia, Alessandra Tirelli, Elisa Piroddi, Chiara Viti, Ilaria Aicardi, Andrea Pozza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1187179/full
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author Nicole Loren Angelo
Greta Brullo
Alessandro Marsiglia
Alessandra Tirelli
Elisa Piroddi
Chiara Viti
Ilaria Aicardi
Andrea Pozza
Andrea Pozza
author_facet Nicole Loren Angelo
Greta Brullo
Alessandro Marsiglia
Alessandra Tirelli
Elisa Piroddi
Chiara Viti
Ilaria Aicardi
Andrea Pozza
Andrea Pozza
author_sort Nicole Loren Angelo
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionRelationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of relationship-centered or partner-focused obsessions and compulsions that determine a great sense of doubt toward the partner or the relationship. Personality characteristics, including perfectionism, are involved in the development of Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and could predispose the individual to excessive doubts and preoccupations regarding the “adequacy of the couple” or the physical appearance of one’s partner. Evidence from epidemiological research shows that the LGB community can present a high risk and prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and recent research demonstrated the usefulness of the DSM-5 personality model in understanding the personality of sexual minorities. However, further research is necessary to deepen our knowledge of the relationship between these variables in the LGB community. The aim of the present study was to compare a group of heterosexual individuals to a group of LGB individuals regarding personality traits, perfectionism, and relationship obsessive-compulsive symptoms.MethodsA total of 200 participants, 98 in the heterosexual group and 102 in the LGB group, were enrolled in the study and completed a psychological battery comprised of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Personality Inventory for DSM-5, Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Inventory, and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale.ResultsThe results show that LGB individuals tend to report greater feelings of doubt regarding the partner’s love, more negative emotions (Negative Affect) and Antagonism, and greater perfectionism traits compared to heterosexual individuals.ConclusionThese findings underline the necessity to consider the implementation of personalized interventions in clinical practice and the importance of initiating early preventive programs in sexual minority communities.
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spelling doaj.art-03e6280c602f470e93f035b1113501de2024-02-21T13:54:01ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782024-02-011510.3389/fpsyg.2024.11871791187179Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individualsNicole Loren Angelo0Greta Brullo1Alessandro Marsiglia2Alessandra Tirelli3Elisa Piroddi4Chiara Viti5Ilaria Aicardi6Andrea Pozza7Andrea Pozza8Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyMiller Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Genoa, ItalyMiller Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Genoa, ItalyMiller Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Genoa, ItalyMiller Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Genoa, ItalyMiller Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Genoa, ItalyRSA “Casa S.s. Concezione”, Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, ItalyPsychology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese AOUS, Siena, ItalyIntroductionRelationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by the presence of relationship-centered or partner-focused obsessions and compulsions that determine a great sense of doubt toward the partner or the relationship. Personality characteristics, including perfectionism, are involved in the development of Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and could predispose the individual to excessive doubts and preoccupations regarding the “adequacy of the couple” or the physical appearance of one’s partner. Evidence from epidemiological research shows that the LGB community can present a high risk and prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and recent research demonstrated the usefulness of the DSM-5 personality model in understanding the personality of sexual minorities. However, further research is necessary to deepen our knowledge of the relationship between these variables in the LGB community. The aim of the present study was to compare a group of heterosexual individuals to a group of LGB individuals regarding personality traits, perfectionism, and relationship obsessive-compulsive symptoms.MethodsA total of 200 participants, 98 in the heterosexual group and 102 in the LGB group, were enrolled in the study and completed a psychological battery comprised of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised, Personality Inventory for DSM-5, Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, Partner-Related Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Inventory, and Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale.ResultsThe results show that LGB individuals tend to report greater feelings of doubt regarding the partner’s love, more negative emotions (Negative Affect) and Antagonism, and greater perfectionism traits compared to heterosexual individuals.ConclusionThese findings underline the necessity to consider the implementation of personalized interventions in clinical practice and the importance of initiating early preventive programs in sexual minority communities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1187179/fullrelationship obsessive-compulsive disorderLGBintimate relationshipspersonalityperfectionismpartner-focused obsessions
spellingShingle Nicole Loren Angelo
Greta Brullo
Alessandro Marsiglia
Alessandra Tirelli
Elisa Piroddi
Chiara Viti
Ilaria Aicardi
Andrea Pozza
Andrea Pozza
Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
Frontiers in Psychology
relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder
LGB
intimate relationships
personality
perfectionism
partner-focused obsessions
title Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
title_full Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
title_fullStr Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
title_full_unstemmed Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
title_short Romantic relationship obsessive-compulsive doubts, perfectionism, and DSM-5 personality traits in LGB people: a comparison with heterosexual individuals
title_sort romantic relationship obsessive compulsive doubts perfectionism and dsm 5 personality traits in lgb people a comparison with heterosexual individuals
topic relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder
LGB
intimate relationships
personality
perfectionism
partner-focused obsessions
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1187179/full
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