Feared Self, Inferential Confusion, and Magical Ideation in Obsessive Compulsive Phenomena

Recent literature suggests that the feared self, a version of self that one is afraid of becoming, is related to obsessive-compulsive (OC) phenomena. However, as this construct is not specific, the existence of the feared self itself does not fully explain why some people may develop obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) while others do not. This indicates that other constructs may play a role, in particular those that may influence the tendency of individuals endorsing negative imagined possibilities over reality-including inferential confusion and magical ideation. Inferential confusion is a reasoning bias specific to OCD and may be able to explain how OC symptoms develop from more general vulnerable self-themes and intrusions commonly reported in the general population. Additionally, magical ideation is another important cognitive bias that could explain the strong beliefs individuals with OCD have with respect to the effectiveness of compulsive rituals. However, to our knowledge, no study to date has investigated the relationships among these three constructs. Using a nonclinical population (N = 385), this study supported the proposed moderated-mediation model conducted via PROCESS. The link between the feared self and OCD symptoms was mediated by inferential confusion, and magical ideation was a moderator of the effects of inferential confusion. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical support for the role of the feared self in predicting OC symptoms. It elucidates how a vulnerable self-view may escalate to OCD symptoms via inferential confusion, with the relationship strengthened further by beliefs in magical ideation which is often employed by individuals under stress. SUMMARY: While feared self is associated with obsessive-compulsive (OC) phenomena, on its own it is insufficient to explain why only some individuals may develop symptoms. The reasoning bias of inferential confusion, where individuals endorse imagined possibilities over reality, was found to mediate this relationship. Magical ideation, the tendency to have beliefs that defy culturally accepted laws of causality, amplified the effects that inferential confusion had on OC symptom severity. While a nonclinical study, this suggests that clinical interventions that directly target cognitive biases such as inferential confusion and magical ideation, along with feared self, may enhance treatment efficacy.