Are “not just-right experiences” trait and/or state marker for obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Abstract

Background and objectives: “Not Just Right Experiences” (NJREs) are common phenomena in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), involving a feeling that something is ‘not right’ or as it should be. Some evidence suggests that NJREs may be an endophenotypic marker. This study aimed to investigate whether NJREs are a trait marker present in unaffected first-degree relatives of OCD and/or a state marker associated with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Methods: The study included 51 OCD patients, 47 first-degree relatives and 45 healthy controls. Not Just Right Experiences Questionnaire Revised (NJRE-QR), Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), and Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) were administered to the participants. Results: There was no significant difference between the first-degree relatives and healthy controls in respect of NJRE-total and NJRE-severity scores. In the hierarchical regression analysis performed in OCD group, the severity of NJREs were associated with the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the 'doubts about actions' dimension of perfectionism. Conclusions: This is the first study investigating NJREs in relatives of a clinical OCD group. The results of this study support the view that NJREs are state markers for OCD. © 2021 Asociación Universitaria de Zaragoza para el Progreso de la Psiquiatría y la Salud Mental