the predictive role of cognitive flexibility and problem-solving methods in the severity of preclinical obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms

Introduction: it is assumed that the level of cognitive flexibility and maladaptive problem-solving methods, probably lead to the exacerbation of preclinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms. therefore, an attempt has been made to show how the level of cognitive flexibility and the type of problem-solving methods can predict the severity of premorbid symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. method: this study followed a descriptive cross-sectional design. sampling was done using cluster sampling among university students. the number of samples was 263 people. in addition, the data analysis method was regression. results: it was shown that problem-solving methods based on thinking and feeling significantly predict obsessive-compulsive slowness. it was also observed that feeling-focused problem-solving can significantly predict obsessive-compulsive hesitation. conclusion: it seems that encouraging people to use a specific model of problem solving, such as just thinking, can lead to a decrease in individual functions, especially executive functions. moreover, finding the optimal level of cognitive flexibility based on reality can increase the efficiency and satisfaction of a person.