Influence of Betrayal Trauma on Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Pathology

Objective: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is among the most common forms of personality pathology. Research suggests that among the risk factors for OCPD pathology is trauma, although it is unclear which kinds of trauma are most influential. Of particular relevance may be trauma high in interpersonal betrayal, which research suggests has a unique association with many different forms of personality pathology. However, this has not yet been examined for OCPD specifically. Method: In this study, we examined the differential associations between trauma with varying levels of betrayal and OCPD pathology in a sample of women and men recruited online (N = 300) using a Bayesian approach to structural equation modeling. Results: Results suggest that although general interpersonal trauma was associated with OCPD across the sample, interpersonal trauma high in betrayal was uniquely associated with OCPD for men. Conclusion: These findings have implications for future research on the influence of trauma and personality pathology as well as for the treatment of OCPD specifically.

Automated summary

This study examined the differential associations between trauma with varying levels of betrayal and OCPD pathology using a Bayesian approach to structural equation modeling. Results showed that interpersonal trauma high in betrayal was uniquely associated with OCPD in men. These findings have important implications for future research on the influence of trauma and personality pathology, as well as for the treatment of OCPD specifically.