The relationship between obsessive-compulsive behaviours and seeking proxies for internal states.

Background and Goals: The Seeking Proxies for Internal States (SPIS) model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD has recently been explored and proposed by professor Reuven Dar, a model which suggests that a major aspect of the disorder is inadequate access to internal states. This model suggests that the rituals and rules that frequently define OCD sufferers can be seen as stand-ins for internally accessible but inadequate states. In this replica study, I complement previous experimental work by investigating the potential link between OCD and the use of proxies to represent internal states in the daily lives of the Albanian population. Methods: To conduct this research, I have used three different inventories in order to measure peoples access to their internal states with obsessive-compulsive behaviours. The inventories used are the aforementioned Seeking Proxies for Internal States (SPIS) model, the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised (OCI-R), and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The three inventories were compiled and distributed online to Albanian subjects of different ages, occupation and gender. Results: Participants who expressed more obsessive-compulsive tendencies indicated that they relied more on observable, external substitutes for a range of internal states. Even after adjusting for concurrent anxiety and depression, these findings held true. Limitations: The sampling of internal states and proxies in the inventory is constrained by necessity, and more correlational and experimental research will be required to look at other application areas like interpersonal liking and decision-making. Moreover, women are more represented than men in this study, which could potentially affect the results of the study, however the ratio of women to men is not large enough to question wether the study results can be accepted for the population. Conclusions: These findings support and broaden the Seeking Proxies for Internal States (SPIS) model. The results of the study, accompanied by previous and future research could bring to light new ways of understanding and treating OCD through the lens of insufficient access to internal states.