obsessive-compulsive disorder traits and preventive behaviors during covid-19 pandemic: the role of self-regulation strategies

Background: covid-19 pandemic has brought the world many different challenges. one of them is the increase in the traitsof mental disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd). ocd is one of the most disabling disorders for patientsand families. one of the factors associated with ocd is self-regulation strategies. investigating the associations between selfregulationstrategies and ocd symptoms can help us find better ways in order to prevent and treat ocd. additionally, in thiscritical period, preventive behaviors play a significant role in reducing covid-19 cases worldwide. the present research aimed toinvestigate the association between self-regulation strategies, ocd traits, and preventive behaviors during covid-19 pandemic.methods: this cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship between ocd traits and self-regulation strategies,including expressive suppression, cognitive reappraisal, self-control, integrative self-knowledge, self-compassion, and preventivebehaviors during covid-19 pandemic in 2022. we recruited 380 iranian adolescents aged 12 to 18 (15.32±2.13) through multistagesampling method and among the students in shiraz schools in 2022. the sample size was determined based on the studyprimary objective. in order to gather data, padua obsession and compulsion inventory, integrative self-knowledge questionnaire,self-control scale, preventive behaviors scale, self-compassionate scale, and emotion regulation questionnaire were utilized asresearch instruments. the data were analyzed by pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis.results: the obtained findings shed light on negative relationships between ocd (65.55±20.61) and self-compassion (35.38±6.35,p=0.001), self-control (39.78±10.83, p=0.001), integrative self-knowledge (38.74±6.72, p=0.01), cognitive reappraisal(27.93±6.01, p=0.01). moreover, positive relationships were observed between ocd, preventive behaviors (5.95±0.92), andexpressive suppression (15.04±4.52, p=0.03). the results also revealed that self-regulation strategies account for 62% of preventivebehaviors.conclusion: self-regulation strategies were found to be important predictors for adolescents’ preventive behaviors during thepandemic. therefore, paying further attention to self-regulation strategies in this critical period of life is of great necessity.