Abstract

Objectives: Considering the importance of memory problems in the development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder, the present study has been carried out with the goal of evaluating a number of memory functions in patients with the mentioned disorder. Method: In order to study memory bias and confidence, and the effects of responsibility on them in patients with checking obsessions, 11 OCD patients with washing rituals, 7 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, and 10 normal individuals were examined in two responsibility conditions (high and low) for secure, insecure and neutral objects in three stages, using quasi-experimental method. Data were analyzed using MANOVA  with repeated measures. Results: OCD patients with checking rituals had memory bias to insecure objects recall (p<0.01). Also, regarding memory confidence, patients with checking rituals had lower confidence about their memory (p<0.05), which was more severe for insecure objects and high responsibility conditions (p<0.01). The number of times of task execution did not show a significant interactive effect. Conclusion: It seems that the most important problem of these patients is in the process of meta memory, where a low confidence to recalls plays the most important role in explaining the disorder. The results of the study support the development of a self perpetuating mechanism in checking OCD.