To achieve a sense of rightness: The joint role of Not Just Right Experiences and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background/Objective: Not Just Right Experiences (NJREs) are currently considered as one of the motivators of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), but the ways through which NJREs affect OCD symptoms remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the putative mediational role of Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) in the association between NJRE severity and OCD symptoms in patients with OCD. Method: Sixty-two patients with OCD completed self-report measures of NJREs, OCD symptoms, and IU. Results: IU mediated the relationship between NJRE severity and OCD symptoms. Furthermore, NJRE severity emerged as moderator of the path, suggesting that the mediational role of IU is stronger when the severity of NJREs increases. Conclusion: Findings support the importance of NJREs in OCD, as well as the specific contribution of IU in the maintenance of this disorder.